Ted Turner, Media Pioneer And CNN Founder, Dies At 87

Media mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner, the visionary founder of CNN who transformed global television news with the launch of the world’s first 24-hour news channel, has died at 87.

According to a statement from Turner Enterprises, the outspoken businessman died on Wednesday. Known as “The Mouth of the South,” the Ohio-born entrepreneur built a vast media empire that included cable’s first superstation, movie and cartoon channels, and sports franchises such as the Atlanta Braves.

Beyond broadcasting, Turner earned international recognition as a yachtsman, conservationist and philanthropist. He founded the United Nations Foundation, campaigned against nuclear weapons and played a major role in reintroducing bison to the American West. He also created the environmentally focused cartoon Captain Planet and the Planeteers.

Turner’s groundbreaking vision for around-the-clock news coverage reshaped journalism worldwide. In 1991, Time named him Man of the Year for changing how people witnessed world events in real time.

CNN chairman and CEO Mark Thompson described Turner as “intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch.”

Turner disclosed in 2018 that he had Lewy body dementia. He is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.