[An image of the CNN building. Photo Credit: Pixabay]

CNN founder and cable television pioneer Ted Turner, who revolutionized the news industry by launching the world’s first 24-hour cable news network, died on May 6, 2026, at age 87.

Turner Enterprises announced that he passed peacefully while surrounded by his family, though no cause of death was disclosed.

Born Robert Edward Turner III in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 19, 1938, Turner took control of his father’s billboard company at age 24 and later expanded the business into radio and television.

In 1970, he acquired a struggling Atlanta television station and eventually transformed it into WTBS, the first nationally distributed cable superstation in the United States.

Turner launched CNN in Atlanta in 1980, pioneering continuous television news coverage at a time when major networks offered news only at scheduled times.

CNN’s ability to report wars, elections, disasters and other major events as they unfolded transformed how audiences around the world consumed news and established Turner as one of the most influential figures in modern media.

His television empire expanded to include channels such as TNT, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.

Following his death, the Atlanta Braves posted on the platform X, stating, “...We will miss you, Ted. You helped make us who we are today, and the Atlanta Braves are forever grateful for the impact you made on our organization and in our community.” 

CNN Worldwide Chairman Mark Thompson also paid tribute to Turner, saying he was intensely involved, and was a committed leader who trusted his own judgement. 

Throughout his career and life, he was recognized for having the nickname “The Mouth of the South,” reflecting his bold and unfiltered public persona throughout his growth in his media career. 

However, his influence extended far beyond television, sports, and entertainment.

In 1997, Turner announced a $1 billion donation to support United Nations causes, a historic commitment that led to the establishment of the United Nations Foundation.

He also co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative, an organization dedicated to reducing threats from nuclear weapons and other dangers to global security.

Turner often addressed various world issues, as shown through him speaking at UNICEF’s Evening for Children First on March 30, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Other initiatives he pursued included reintroducing bison to the American West, as he was a leading conservationist who became one of the country’s largest landowners. 

Prior to his death, Ted Turner had disclosed in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with dementia, specifically the Lewy body dementia, and before recovering, he had been hospitalized in early 2025 with pneumonia. 

Ted Turner passed away on May 26, 2026, at his home in Lamont, Florida, surrounded by his family, although neither his family nor Turner Enterprises announced a cause of death.

Even after his passing, his impacts and legacy still continue on to this day, especially as he had committed to The Giving Pledge, where it is a commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals or families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to giving back.