Deadline has confirmed the passing of philanthropist and founder of the first 24/7 cable news station, CNN, Ted Turner. Turner was 87 and lost a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Turner lived a whirlwind life that seemed to embody the big media personalities of the 80’s. He purchased the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Braves, both of which had been struggling in the television market. Famously branding the Braves as America’s team, as it was the first to get broadcast coverage to the entire nation. After being suspended from baseball for violating trade rules, Tuner upped the ante, proving just how impassioned he is for success by winning the most prestigious event in sailing, the America’s Cup, as captain of the yacht Courageous.
After venturing into The Cartoon Network, Turner Network Television, and Turner Classic Movies, Turner turned his attention to launching CNN, which drove the world into the current 24/7 coverage we have today. Turner later sold the company to Time Werner.
In a rare across-the-aisle sentiment, the President took a moment from his “Year of Celebration” activities to praise the media mogul as one of the greats of broadcast history and a friend of his.
“Ted Turner, one of the Greats of All Time, just died. He founded CNN, sold it, and was personally devastated by the Deal because the new ownership took CNN, his “baby,” and destroyed it. It became woke, and everything that he is not all about. Maybe the new buyers, wonderful people, will be able to bring it back to its former credibility and glory. Regardless, however, one of the Greats of Broadcast History, and a friend of mine. Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause! President DONALD J. TRUMP” via Truth Social.
Nicknamed “mouth of the south,” Turner was born in Cincinnati, OH and moved with his family to Savannah, GA at the age of nine. He would attend Brown University and serve in the Coast Guard before joining his father’s advertising company. He led the business following his father’s death by suicide.
Turner leaves behind five children from two marriages, which both ended in divorce. He married actress Jane Fonda (Monster-in-Law, 9 to 5) in 1991. Despite divorcing in 2001, the two remained close. A private service is planned with a public memorial set for a later date.