CNN founder Ted Turner has died: what is known about him
6 May 21:56
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and a pioneer of 24-hour cable broadcasting, has died at the age of 87. CNN reported this, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
A Revolution in Television News
On June 1, 1980, Ted Turner launched CNN—the first 24-hour cable news network. This bold idea to broadcast news from around the world in real time became his greatest achievement. Turner himself called CNN “the greatest achievement” of his life.
Ted Turner was born in Ohio and earned the nickname “The Mouth of the South” for his outspokenness. He built a media empire that included the first cable TV superstation, popular movie and cartoon channels, and owned sports teams, including the Atlanta Braves.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
In addition to his achievements in media, Turner was a well-known philanthropist. He founded the United Nations Foundation, advocated for nuclear disarmament, and was actively involved in environmental conservation efforts, including the reintroduction of bison to the American West. He even created the animated series “Captain Planet” to teach children about the environment.
In 1991, Time magazine named Turner “Person of the Year” for his “influence on the course of events and for turning viewers in 150 countries into eyewitnesses to history.”
Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, noted:
“Ted was an incredibly engaged and dedicated leader—fearless, decisive, and always willing to take risks, trusting his own intuition. He was and will forever remain the spirit of CNN.”
Personal Life and Final Years
In 2018, Turner announced that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disease.
In 2025, he was hospitalized with a mild case of pneumonia, after which he underwent rehabilitation. At the time of his death, he was survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Watch us on YouTube: important topics – without censorship
