Ted Turner, CNN founder and media pioneer, dies at 87 after dementia battle

Ted Turner, the media mogul who launched CNN and reshaped global news, has died at 87. His passing occurred on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, after a long struggle with Lewy body dementia. Family members were by his side as he died peacefully at home. Turner rose to fame as a bold entrepreneur who revolutionised television. In 1980, he founded CNN, the world’s first 24-hour cable news network. His outspoken personality earned him nicknames like The Mouth From The South and Captain Outrageous, reflecting his blunt and often controversial remarks.

Beyond media, Turner left a lasting mark on sports. He owned the Atlanta Hawks for 19 years and the Atlanta Braves for two decades. Under his leadership, the Braves won the 1995 World Series, cementing their place in baseball history. His personal life also drew attention. He married three times, including a high-profile decade-long union with actor and activist Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001. After his death, Fonda shared on Instagram that Turner had *swept into my life* and *helped me believe in myself*. Turner’s later years focused on conservation. He dedicated vast stretches of land to preserving natural habitats and protecting the American bison. His philanthropy extended to hundreds of thousands of acres, ensuring wildlife and ecosystems endured for future generations. In 2018, he revealed his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. The progressive condition gradually diminished his health until his death four years later.

Turner’s death closes a chapter on a life that transformed media, sports, and environmental conservation. His creation of CNN changed how the world consumes news, while his land preservation efforts safeguarded wild spaces. Family, friends, and former colleagues remember him as a visionary with an unmatched impact.