Outspoken Founder Of 24-Hour News Network 'CNN' Ted Turner Has Died Peacefully At Age 87

Ted Turner, the media mogul and philanthropist who founded CNN in 1980, died on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the age of 87. He passed away peacefully at his home near Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by his family.

Death and Legacy

• Cause of Death: While a specific cause of death was not immediately released, Turner had been battling Lewy body dementia, a degenerative brain disorder, since being diagnosed in 2018. He also recovered from a mild case of pneumonia in early 2025.
• Impact on Media: Turner revolutionized television by creating the first 24-hour news network. Beyond CNN, his media empire included TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies.