Ted Turner, founder of CNN and a pioneer of cable news, has died at age 87, leaving behind a vast legacy in media, philanthropy, and other fields.
Turner Enterprises issued a statement announcing that Ted Turner, a media world phenomenon and philanthropist who founded CNN—the first 24-hour news network that revolutionized television news—passed away on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, at the age of 87.
Turner was a businessman from Atlanta, nicknamed “The Mouth of the South” for his straightforward manner. He built a media empire that included the first cable superstation, popular movie and cartoon channels, and professional sports teams like the Atlanta Braves.
Additionally, Turner was a world-class yachtsman, philanthropist who founded the United Nations Foundation, an activist campaigning for global nuclear disarmament, and a conservationist—one of the largest private landowners in the U.S.
He played a key role in restoring the American bison to the western U.S. and created the cartoon “Captain Planet” to teach children about environmental issues.
What made him most famous was his vision of delivering real-time global news 24 hours a day, a concept that became an overwhelming success later on.
His television empire also included channels such as TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network.
In 1991, Turner was named “Person of the Year” by Time magazine for his influence on world events and for enabling audiences in 150 countries to witness history as it happened.
Although Turner eventually sold his network business to Time Warner and later retired, he always expressed pride in CNN, calling it the “greatest achievement” of his life.
“Ted was a dedicated and determined leader. He was fearless and always willing to bet on his instincts and convictions,” said Mark Thompson, president and CEO of CNN Worldwide, in a statement.
“He is and will forever be the spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant whose shoulders we stand on, and today we will take a moment to remember him and what he built for our lives and the world.”
In 2018, just months before his 80th birthday, Turner revealed he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder. In early 2025, he was hospitalized with mild pneumonia and then moved to a rehabilitation facility for recovery.
Ted Turner was married three times: to Julia Gail Neinh (1960–1964), Jane Shirley Smith (1966–1988), and Jane Fonda (1991–2001). He had five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:cnn