Ted Turner, the media mogul who founded CNN and reshaped global news, has died at the age of 87. His family confirmed the death, and CNN reported the news on Wednesday, citing a release from Turner Enterprises.
A Legacy in News and Philanthropy
Turner revolutionized television news by launching CNN, the first 24-hour cable news network. He later became a prominent philanthropist, founding the United Nations Foundation in 1998 and donating a record $1 billion to the UN. According to the foundation, Turner aimed to demonstrate the value of investing in the UN, encourage new partners, and promote strong US leadership at the organization.
He also established the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a non-profit advocacy group focused on reducing threats from nuclear, biological, and emerging technology dangers.
Recognition and Challenges
In 1991, Time magazine named Turner Man of the Year for "influencing the dynamic of events and turning viewers in 150 countries into instant witnesses of history." He sold his media company, Turner Broadcasting System, which included CNN, to Time Warner Inc in the 1990s.
Turner announced in 2018 that he had Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder. He was briefly hospitalized in 2025 with a mild case of pneumonia.
Family and Tributes
CNN reported that Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A spokesperson for the family also confirmed his death to the New York Times.
Mark Thompson, chair and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said in a statement: "Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless, and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgment. He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world."
