Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and a pioneer of 24-hour television news, has died at the age of 87.
Turner passed away on Wednesday after battling Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder.
The outspoken media mogul, popularly known as “The Mouth of the South,” transformed global journalism with the launch of Cable News Network (CNN) in 1980, introducing round-the-clock news coverage and redefining how audiences consume information.
Born in Ohio, Turner built a vast media empire that extended beyond news to include cable television’s first superstation, movie and cartoon channels, and sports franchises such as the Atlanta Braves.
Beyond broadcasting, he was widely recognised for his philanthropy and environmental advocacy. He founded the United Nations Foundation after pledging $1 billion and championed causes including nuclear disarmament and wildlife conservation.
He also played a key role in reintroducing bison to the American West and created the environmental-themed cartoon Captain Planet and the Planeteers to promote ecological awareness among children.
In 1991, Time magazine named him Man of the Year, citing his role in making viewers across more than 150 countries “instant witnesses of history.”
Although he later sold much of his media empire to Time Warner, Turner continued to describe CNN as the greatest achievement of his life.
Paying tribute, CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson described him as a visionary whose legacy would endure.
“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” Thompson said.
“He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN.”
Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy that permanently reshaped global media and communication.
