Ted Turner He became one of the most influential figures in television history after launching CNN in 1980 and helping pioneer the concept of 24-hour news. Over the decades, the media mogul has expanded his empire through networks like TBS, TNT and Cartoon Network, while also becoming known for his ownership of major sports teams, his high-profile marriage to Jane Fonda and his massive philanthropic efforts.
In May 2026, Turner died surrounded by his family, according to a statement from Turner Enterprises. He was 87 years old.
Learn more about Turner and his life below.
Ted Turner founded CNN
Turner launched CNN in 1980, creating the world’s first 24-hour cable news network. At the time, many pundits believed that people would not watch news around the clock, but CNN has gone on to radically change the television industry and the way a global audience consumes breaking news.
The network became especially influential during major world events such as the Gulf War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the Challenger disaster. Turner later expanded his media empire with networks including TBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network.
Ted Turner owns multiple sports teams
Outside of television, Turner has been heavily involved in sports ownership. He owned the MLB’s Atlanta Braves and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, helping raise the national profile of both franchises during the 1970s and 1980s.
Turner was also involved in professional wrestling through World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and helped launch the Goodwill Games as an international sporting competition during the Cold War era.
Ted Turner was once married to Jane Fonda
Turner was married to an actress and activist Jane Fonda From 1991 to 2001. Their relationship became one of the most famous marriages in Hollywood during the 1990s. Although they eventually divorced, Fonda continued to speak warmly of Turner in the years that followed, once referring to him as her “favorite ex-husband.”
Ted Turner revealed his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia in 2018
In 2018, Turner publicly revealed his diagnosis with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder that shares symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
During an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Turner explained that the condition causes fatigue, forgetfulness and other health problems. In his final years, he largely stayed away from public life while dealing with the disease.
Ted Turner had five children and several grandchildren
Turner was a father of five children, and by the time of his death, he also had 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Several of his children have been involved in environmental and charitable work, including his daughter Laura Turner Seidelwho continued many of her father’s environmental conservation efforts.
