Ted Turner, CNN Founder Who Transformed Cable News, Dies at 87

A trailblazer whose bold vision reshaped media, philanthropy and beyond

Ted Turner, the audacious media entrepreneur behind CNN and a sprawling cable empire, died May 6, 2026, at age 87. His pioneering launch of 24-hour news irrevocably changed how the world consumes news. Beyond media, Turner’s philanthropic and environmental endeavors left an enduring global legacy.

A Visionary’s Final Act

Ted Turner passed away on May 6, 2026, at his Avalon Plantation home in Lamont, Florida, surrounded by family, at the age of 87 . The cause of death was not disclosed, though he had been battling Lewy body dementia since 2018 . Turner’s death marks the end of an era for media innovation and bold entrepreneurship.

Launching the News Revolution

In June 1980, Turner launched CNN—the first 24-hour cable news network—ushering in the era of real-time global news . CNN’s groundbreaking coverage of the Gulf War in 1990–91, including live reports from Baghdad, cemented its reputation as a trusted international news source . CNN’s model inspired competitors like Fox News and MSNBC, fundamentally altering the broadcast landscape .