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Media mogul Ted Turner, the brash entrepreneur who transformed television journalism by launching the world's first 24-hour news channel, has died at 87, according to a statement released by Turner Enterprises and reported by CNN.
Turner, who disclosed in 2018 that he had Lewy Body Dementia, had faced declining health in recent years, including a reported hospitalization in 2025.
Best known for founding CNN in 1980, Turner built a media empire that redefined how audiences consumed breaking news. Broadcasting from Atlanta, the network initially struggled for credibility, with critics mocking it as "Chicken Noodle News."
Despite early skepticism, CNN proved its value during major global events, including the Persian Gulf War, when it delivered continuous live coverage from Baghdad, and the Challenger space shuttle disaster. Its reporting on the Fall of the Berlin Wall further cemented its place in broadcast history.
Turner's ventures extended beyond CNN. Through Turner Broadcasting System, he launched channels such as TNT, TBS, and Cartoon Network, while also owning the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks.
Known for his outspoken personality, Turner earned nicknames like "The Mouth of the South." He maintained a long-running rivalry with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and cultivated an unlikely relationship with Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
In 1996, Turner sold his company to Time Warner in a deal valued at billions, a decision he later described as a profound personal regret. The subsequent merger with AOL became one of the most criticized corporate combinations in media history.
Beyond business, Turner was a major philanthropist, donating $1 billion to the United Nations and supporting environmental and humanitarian causes. He also founded the United Nations Foundation.
He was married three times, including a decade-long marriage to actress Jane Fonda.
Tributes poured in following news of his death. CNN chairman Mark Thompson described Turner as "fearless, visionary and foundational," adding that his influence would endure across generations of journalism.
