CNN reports founder Ted Turner has died

CNN reports founder Ted Turner has died

Ted Turner, the pioneering media mogul who founded CNN, died on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at age 87. Turner Enterprises confirmed he died peacefully surrounded by family, following a 2018 diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. He revolutionized broadcasting with the 1980 launch of the first 24-hour cable news channel. Key Details About Ted Turner's Life and Death:Death: Passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 87.Cause: No specific cause was disclosed, but he had been suffering from Lewy body dementia.Legacy: Founded CNN (1980), TBS, and Cartoon Network, effectively creating the 24-hour news culture.Background: Nicknamed "Captain Outrageous" and "The Mouth of the South," he was a massive figure in media, a philanthropist, and a former Time magazine Man of the Year.Family Statement: A private family service is planned, with a public memorial to be held at a later date. Turner's career was characterized by risky, groundbreaking moves that changed the media landscape, including his founding of CNN and subsequent stewardship of Turner Broadcasting System before merging with Time Warner.