Ted Turner, the visionary media mogul who founded CNN and Cartoon Network, has passed away at the age of 87.
Turner Enterprises announced his death on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The cause of death was Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disease he had been battling since his diagnosis was made public in 2018.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ted Turner became one of the most influential figures in modern broadcasting. In 1980, he launched CNN, the world’s first 24-hour cable news network, fundamentally transforming how global audiences consume news. He also built Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), TNT, and Cartoon Network, creating an empire that reshaped television.
Beyond media, Ted Turner was a passionate philanthropist, environmentalist, and sports enthusiast. He co-created the animated series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers in 1990,” alongside producer Barbara Pyle to raise awareness about environmental issues.
He later founded the United Nations Foundation and was also a strong advocate for wildlife conservation, particularly known for his efforts to restore bison populations across the United States.