By Ayo Kehinde
Legendary American media mogul who founded CNN and revolutionised global news broadcasting through the introduction of 24-hour cable television news, Ted Turner, has died at the age of 87.
His death was announced on Wednesday, May 6, by Turner Enterprises, the company he established to manage his business and philanthropic interests.
The statement confirmed the passing of the billionaire entrepreneur, environmental advocate, and former owner of Turner Broadcasting System.
“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement. 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,” CNN Chief Executive Officer Mark Thompson said.
Born Robert Edward Turner III on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Turner moved to Savannah, Georgia, at the age of nine, where his father ran a billboard advertising business.
After his father’s death in 1963, he assumed control of the family company, Turner Advertising, marking the beginning of a business empire that would reshape global media.
In 1970, Turner expanded into television by acquiring the struggling Atlanta UHF station, laying the foundation for what would become a media conglomerate.
He later pioneered the concept of the “superstation” in 1975, using satellite technology to distribute programming nationwide, transforming a local station into Turner Broadcasting System (TBS). His expansion into sports broadcasting also saw him acquire the Atlanta Braves to boost programming content.
Turner’s most significant achievement came in 1980 with the launch of CNN (Cable News Network), the world’s first 24-hour television news channel. The network eventually reached hundreds of millions of households globally and reshaped how news was delivered and consumed.
Under his leadership, the Turner media empire expanded to include CNN Headline News, CNN International, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies.
In 1996, Turner sold Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner in a landmark $7.3 billion stock deal, remaining vice chairman until 2003 and resigning from the board in 2006.
Beyond media, Turner was widely recognised for his environmental and humanitarian philanthropy. He founded the Turner Foundation in 1990 to support environmental causes and co-created the animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteers to promote environmental awareness among young audiences.
In 1997, he pledged $1 billion to the United Nations, leading to the creation of the United Nations Foundation in 1998. He also established the Nuclear Threat Initiative in 2001 to address global nuclear risks.
Turner was equally known for his business scale and personal ventures, including ownership of millions of acres of land across the United States and South America, and a large bison ranching operation. He also made sporting history by winning the 1977 America’s Cup as a yachtsman.
He was married three times to Judy Nye, Jane Shirley Smith, and actress Jane Fonda, all of which ended in divorce.
His marriage to Fonda, from 1991 to 2001, drew significant public attention and was later described in her memoir as a complex and turbulent relationship.
Turner is survived by his children and a lasting legacy that spans media innovation, environmental activism, and global philanthropy.
His daughter, Laura Turner Seydel, once described him as a “real-life Captain Planet,” reflecting his lifelong commitment to environmental protection.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern media history, Turner leaves behind a transformed global news landscape and a legacy that continues to shape broadcasting worldwide.
