Turner died on Wednesday after a long battle with Lewy body dementia, according to Turner Enterprises. He was best known for creating CNN, the first 24-hour news channel, in 1980, which changed how news was consumed globally. CNN's breakthrough moment came during the Gulf War in 1991, when its live coverage from Baghdad captivated audiences.
Turner also pioneered the concept of 'superstation' and built the Turner Broadcasting System, launching channels such as TNT, Cartoon Network, and TBS. The superstation model turned a local Atlanta station into a national cable presence, while TBS became a cornerstone of basic cable. Cartoon Network grew into a global brand for animated entertainment, and TNT established itself with drama and sports programming.
Beyond news, Turner owned the Atlanta Braves baseball team, turning it into a national franchise through innovative broadcasting and marketing. He created World Championship Wrestling, which revived interest in professional wrestling during the 1990s. Turner also won the America's Cup in yachting, showcasing his competitive spirit.
In his personal life, Turner was married three times, including to actress Jane Fonda, and was known for his no-filter statements, earning the nickname 'Mouth of the South'. He amassed millions of acres of land across several states for preservation, becoming one of the largest private landowners in the United States. Mark Thompson, CEO and chairman of CNN, said in a statement that Turner was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement.
Thompson added that Turner will always be the presiding spirit of CNN and that the network stands on his shoulders. According to The Independent - World, Turner once said that if he had a little humility, he would be perfect, and described his strategy of moving fast to outpace broadcast networks. The exact date and location of Turner's death have not been disclosed.
His other two wives besides Fonda have not been named in reports, and the precise acreage of land he preserved remains unspecified.