Ted Turner, CNN Founder, Dies at 87; Trump’s Mixed Tribute and Global Praise
ATLANTA / TALLAHASSEE – May 6, 2026 – Ted Turner, the brash, visionary entrepreneur who launched CNN and changed how the world consumes news, died peacefully Wednesday at his Avalon Ranch in Jefferson County, Florida. He was 87.
The cause was complications from Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disorder he publicly disclosed in 2018. His death was confirmed by Turner Enterprises, the family-run holding company that manages his vast business and conservation interests.
At his bedside were his five children, grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Flags at CNN’s global headquarters in Atlanta were lowered to half-staff shortly after the announcement.
From Billboards to Billion-Dollar Bets
Born Robert Edward Turner III in Cincinnati in 1938, he inherited his father’s billboard business but soon expanded into television, buying a struggling UHF station in Atlanta. In 1980, against nearly universal skepticism, he launched the Cable News Network (CNN) – the first 24-hour news channel.
Critics dubbed it the “Chicken Noodle Network,” predicting swift failure. Instead, CNN became the indispensable source for global breaking news, culminating in its live, wall-to-wall coverage of the 1991 Gulf War. Turner sold the network to Time Warner in 1996 for $7.5 billion, a deal that made him one of the richest people in the world but left him with no operational control.
In later years, Turner famously lamented the sale, telling interviewers he regretted handing over “his baby” to corporate management.
A Philanthropic First – The $1 Billion Pledge
While his media career made him famous, his philanthropy may prove more enduring. In 1997, furious at a stagnant U.S. foreign policy, Turner announced a staggering $1 billion gift to support United Nations causes. The donation created the UN Foundation, which has since spearheaded global vaccination campaigns, climate agreements, and women’s health initiatives.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement: “Ted Turner did not just write a check. He changed the nature of philanthropy. He showed that one person’s fortune could be a tool for planetary change.”
Turner also co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative in 2001, used his restaurant chain Ted’s Montana Grill to promote bison restoration, and at one point was the largest private landowner in North America, preserving over two million acres as conservation easements.
Trump’s Complex Tribute
President Donald Trump, who has a long and contentious history with CNN, issued a statement on Truth Social that blended genuine praise with pointed political criticism.
“Ted Turner was one of the Greats of All Time – a true maverick and a friend,” Trump wrote. “But it broke my heart to see what happened after he sold CNN. They turned it into a Woke mess, and he was personally devastated by it. With new leadership, maybe it can become credible again. Rest in peace, Ted.”
The comment drew immediate pushback from media watchdogs, who noted that Turner remained a lifetime defender of independent journalism, even while occasionally criticizing CNN’s corporate direction.
Emotional Farewell from CNN’s Own
On-air tributes were especially raw at the network he built.
Wolf Blitzer, visibly emotional, told viewers: “Ted took a chance on me in 1990. He took chances on everyone who believed news didn’t have to stop at 30 minutes. He was the most audacious person I ever met.”
Christiane Amanpour, who rose to fame under Turner’s direct mentorship, released a video statement from London: “His vision was simple – give people the world, uncut and unfiltered. Working for that vision has been the proudest achievement of my lifetime. Goodbye, Captain.”
Even long-time rivals paid respect. Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News Media called Turner “an original who reshaped the landscape for everyone,” while MSNBC noted that “without Ted Turner’s risk, there would be no 24-hour news cycle.”
Final Years and Private Struggles
Turner had largely withdrawn from public life after 2018, as symptoms of Lewy body dementia – including memory loss, visual hallucinations, and motor difficulties – worsened. He spent most of his final years at Avalon Ranch, a 6,000-acre property on Florida’s gulf coast, where he was cared for by family and a team of neurologists.
In a rare 2023 interview with a hometown Atlanta paper, Turner joked about his condition: “I forget names now, but I still remember every bad trade I ever made. That’s the real curse.”
What Happens Next
A private family funeral is planned for Saturday in Savannah, Georgia, with a public memorial expected later this month in Atlanta, likely at the Tabernacle – a former church Turner converted into a concert and event venue.
Turner Enterprises said in a statement that his philanthropic trusts and land conservation agreements will continue in perpetuity, adding: “His greatest wish – that every child on Earth have a chance at a healthy future – remains the foundation’s north star.”
