By MEDIA mogul Ted Turner, the visionary behind CNN, has passed at the age of 87.
Turner passed away on Wednesday, according to a statement from Turner Enterprises, as reported by CNN.
His death marks the end of an era for global broadcast journalism, which he transformed with the launch of the world’s first 24-hour television news network in 1980.
The American businessman had disclosed shortly before his 80th birthday that he was living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive condition affecting memory and motor function.
Reports also indicated he was in a rehabilitation facility in early 2025 following a bout of pneumonia.
Turner founded Turner Broadcasting System, which grew into a major media empire encompassing channels such as TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.
He also owned the Atlanta Braves during his career.
Beyond broadcasting, Turner was known for his philanthropy and environmental advocacy.
He established the United Nations Foundation and was actively involved in conservation, including operating one of the largest private bison herds in the United States.
Tributes have poured in following news of his death. Former US President Donald Trump described Turner as “one of the greats of all time” and praised his willingness to champion causes he believed in.
CNN Worldwide chairman and CEO Mark Thompson also paid tribute, describing Turner as “an intrepid and fearless leader” whose vision laid the foundation for the network’s global influence.
Born in Ohio, Turner launched CNN from its Atlanta headquarters on June 1, 1980. Despite early scepticism and mockery from critics, the network rose to prominence through its live coverage of major global events, including the Gulf War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Challenger space shuttle disaster.
Nicknamed “The Mouth of the South” for his outspoken personality, Turner was known for his rivalry with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, as well as his unconventional relationships, including a friendship with Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
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He was married three times, including to Hollywood actress Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001.
Turner sold CNN and Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner in 1996 in a deal valued at $7.34 billion, a decision he later described as the “worst day” of his life.
The subsequent merger between Time Warner and AOL in 2000 was widely criticised as one of the most unsuccessful in US corporate history.
Turner’s legacy remains firmly rooted in his revolutionary impact on modern news media, having reshaped how audiences around the world consume breaking news.
Source: New York Post
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