Ted Turner, Founder of CNN and Brown University Dropout, Dies at 87

Ted Turner, Founder of CNN and Brown University Dropout, Dies at 87

Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III, founder of CNN and a longtime figure in American media and philanthropy, died on May 6, 2026, at the age of 87. 

His passing was shared in a release by Turner Enterprises. 

Turner was born on November 9, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was raised in Savannah, Georgia, and Atlanta. He was the son of Robert Edward Turner Jr., who operated an outdoor advertising business. 

Turner attended Brown University but left before graduating following his father’s death in 1963. He assumed control of the family company and expanded it into Turner Broadcasting System.

In the 1970s, Turner acquired a UHF television station in Atlanta and developed it into a national “superstation” through satellite distribution. In 1980, he launched Cable News Network (CNN), the first 24-hour television news channel. He later established Turner Network Television (TNT) and Turner Broadcasting properties that included sports and entertainment programming.

His ties to Rhode Island continued, 

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He was a renowned yachtsman who famously skippered the 12-meter yacht Courageous to a 4-0 sweep victory in the 1977 America's Cup, defending the trophy for the United States against Australia off Newport. 

He was later inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1993. 

In addition, he owned the Atlanta Braves and once took over as manager. He also owned the Atlanta Hawks for a number of years.

Turner was a controlling figure in Turner Broadcasting until its 1996 merger with Time Warner. He remained involved in the company following the merger.

He received multiple industry honors, including induction into the Television Hall of Fame. In 1997, he pledged $1 billion to support United Nations causes and helped establish the United Nations Foundation. He also supported environmental initiatives and land conservation through his private holdings.

Turner was married three times, including to actress Jane Fonda. He is survived by his five children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.