CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87
Ted Turner died on Wednesday May 6 2026. He was 87.
Turner founded CNN and created the first 24-hour news network in the United States. He died peacefully with his family after a long battle with Lewy body dementia.
He had shared his diagnosis in 2018. Turner launched CNN in 1980.
This changed how media and politics worked. His media empire also included TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies and the Atlanta Braves.
He donated $1 billion to the United Nations Foundation. After his death President Trump praised Turner as 'one of the greats of all time.' But Trump also called CNN 'woke' in the same statement.
Trump claimed Turner was 'personally devastated' by the sale of the network. Trump added that 'wonderful people' at Paramount Skydance may 'be able to bring it back to its former glory.'
Key Terms 4
- CNN Cable News Network, the first 24-hour TV news channel
- Lewy body dementia A brain disease that slowly gets worse over time
- Paramount Skydance A media company that bought CNN from its previous owners
- United Nations Foundation A group that supports the work of the United Nations worldwide