Ted Turner’s Death: Media Maverick Who Built CNN and a Billion‑Dollar Philanthropic Legacy

Ted Turner, the outspoken media mogul who turned a regional billboard firm into a worldwide news empire, died on Wednesday at 87, surrounded by family, according to Turner Enterprises.

Ted Turner’s 24‑Hour News Revolution

In 1980 he launched the Cable News Network, the first 24‑hour news channel, a move sparked by his irritation at the limited evening newscasts of the major networks. CNN’s live coverage of the 1991 Gulf conflict cemented its reputation, a milestone highlighted by Reuters.

From SuperStation to Global Conglomerate

Turner’s acquisition of a weak UHF station in 1970, later rebroadcast via satellite as the TBS SuperStation, gave him a platform to air classic films and Atlanta Braves baseball, turning a regional team into a national brand. His 1986 purchase of MGM added a vault of vintage titles that became the backbone of TNT and Turner Classic Movies.

“If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect,” the media titan once joked.

Beyond broadcasting, Turner amassed ↑ $1 billion in pledges to United Nations charities in 1997 and co‑founded the nuclear threat initiatives with former Senator Sam Nunn, aiming to curb the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

His personal life was as flamboyant as his business: three marriages—including a high‑profile union with actress Jane Fonda—, a fleet of racing yachts, and ownership of millions of acres of ranchland that made him Nebraska’s largest private landholder.

Late‑stage Lewy body dementia slowed him, and he withdrew from daily operations after selling Turner Broadcasting to Time Warner in 1996. By then his net worth had slipped to ↓ $2.5 billion, removing him from Forbes’ 400 richest Americans list.

President Donald Trump called him “one of the Greats of All Time” in a statement, while AP News noted his lasting impact on the media landscape.