CNN founder, Ted Turner, has died at the age of 87, according to CNN, which confirmed that the media mogul had been living with Lewy Body Dementia before his passing.
Turner, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern broadcasting, transformed global journalism in 1980 when he launched a 24-hour news channel that redefined how audiences accessed information around the world.
His venture, CNN, rapidly grew into an international news powerhouse, earning widespread recognition for its uninterrupted coverage of major global events.
Its live reporting during the Gulf War, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the Tiananmen Square crackdown cemented its reputation as a leading source of breaking news.
The network also gained credibility for keeping correspondents on the ground in Baghdad during intense bombardment, a move that underscored its commitment to real-time reporting.
Reacting to his death, Mark Thompson, CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO, paid tribute to Turner’s legacy.
“Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world,” Thompson said.
“He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN.”
Born Robert Edward Turner III in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November 1938, Turner attended a military school in Tennessee before enrolling at Brown University, though he did not complete his degree.
His business career began after he took control of his family’s struggling advertising firm following his father’s death.
He later expanded into broadcasting, purchasing radio stations before acquiring a struggling television outlet in Atlanta in 1970, an investment that became the foundation of the Turner Broadcasting System.
Over time, his media empire expanded to include major networks such as TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies.
The success of CNN also paved the way for other 24-hour news channels, including Fox News, MSNBC, and similar outlets across the globe.
Beyond media, Turner was also active in sports, business, and philanthropy, leaving behind a broad legacy that extended far beyond journalism.
His passing marks the end of a defining era in global news media, with many crediting him for fundamentally changing how the world consumes information.
