Ted Turner, the bold media visionary who transformed global journalism by launching CNN—the world’s first 24-hour news channel—has died at the age of 87.
According to a statement from Turner Enterprises, the pioneering businessman passed away peacefully on Wednesday, surrounded by family.
Born in Ohio and later based in Atlanta, Turner earned the nickname “The Mouth of the South” for his outspoken personality and fearless leadership style. Over the years, he built a vast media empire that included cable television’s first superstation, entertainment networks, and professional sports franchises such as the Atlanta Braves.
Beyond media, Turner’s legacy spans philanthropy, environmental advocacy, and global diplomacy. He founded the United Nations Foundation, championed nuclear disarmament, and became one of the largest private landowners in the United States. His conservation efforts notably helped reintroduce bison to the American West. He also co-created the educational cartoon Captain Planet and the Planeteers to inspire environmental awareness among younger generations.
Turner’s most groundbreaking achievement came on June 1, 1980, when he launched CNN—ushering in a new era of round-the-clock, real-time news coverage that reshaped how the world consumes information.
In 1991, Time magazine named him “Man of the Year” for redefining how global audiences witness history.
Though he later sold his networks to Time Warner, Turner remained deeply proud of CNN, often calling it the crowning accomplishment of his life.
CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson described Turner as a fearless innovator whose legacy continues to shape journalism: a “giant on whose shoulders we stand.”
Turner had revealed in 2018 that he was living with Lewy body dementia. Earlier in 2025, he recovered from a mild case of pneumonia.
He is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
