AceShowbiz - Ted Turner was a monumental figure in the entertainment industry, known for his pivotal role in founding multiple influential television networks such as Cartoon Network, CNN, and TNT. After a lengthy and impactful career building a media empire, Ted Turner eventually stepped away from his business ventures to prioritize his health. It has now been confirmed that Ted Turner has passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped modern cable television and media.

Ted Turner had been battling Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive brain disorder diagnosed prior to his 80th birthday in 2018. This condition contributed to a hospital stay in 2025 when he was admitted after contracting pneumonia. Early in his career, Ted Turner gained the nickname "The Mouth of the South" for his outspoken and bold personality. He built his media empire from Atlanta, Georgia, which became the hub for his numerous business ventures.

In addition to his vast media holdings, Ted Turner was also a sports team owner. He purchased the Atlanta Braves baseball team in 1976, a franchise he later sold to Time Warner. He also acquired the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, aiming to keep the team based in Georgia. His influence extended beyond television, impacting the sports and entertainment industries alike.

Following Ted Turner's death, Mark Thompson, the current chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, released a statement recognizing his contributions: "Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless, and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement. He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world." Founded in 1980, CNN was the first 24/7 cable news network, revolutionizing how news was delivered globally.

Besides his well-known ventures, Ted Turner also played a significant role in professional wrestling. He helped establish World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which for years was the main rival to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now known as WWE. Although WCW eventually merged with WWE, it set a precedent for how wrestling organizations could challenge the dominant company, influencing the current landscape where organizations like AEW have emerged.

In a revealing 1998 interview with Reader’s Digest, Ted Turner expressed the scale of his ambitions, stating, "I'm trying to set the all-time record for achievement by one person in one lifetime and that puts you in pretty big company: Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Gandhi, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, Washington, Roosevelt, Churchill." Whether history will place him among these figures is for future generations to decide; however, his influence on cable television and media remains indisputable.

Ted Turner leaves behind a large family, survived by five children, fourteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His passing marks the end of an era in the entertainment world, but his contributions will continue to impact media for years to come.

Our thoughts are with Ted Turner's family and friends during this difficult time as they mourn the loss of a visionary and media pioneer.