Ted Turner, CNN founder and conservation pioneer, dies at 87

Ted Turner, the media tycoon who launched CNN, has died at the age of 87. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, surrounded by his family. His death followed a long struggle with Lewy body dementia, a condition he publicly revealed in 2018. Turner founded CNN in 1980, creating the world’s first 24-hour cable news network. Though this achievement defined his career, he often said his proudest legacy was preserving vast stretches of wild land. He bought and protected hundreds of thousands of acres, calling himself a caretaker rather than an owner.

His conservation efforts extended to saving the American bison, a species he helped revive by dedicating large portions of his land. Beyond media and wildlife, Turner also left his mark in sports. He owned the Atlanta Hawks for 19 years and the Atlanta Braves for 20, with the Braves winning the 1995 World Series under his leadership. Known for his bold personality, Turner earned nicknames like *The Mouth From The South* and *Captain Outrageous* due to his blunt, often controversial remarks. His personal life included three marriages, most notably a decade-long union with actor and activist Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001.

Turner’s death marks the end of a life that reshaped media, sports, and conservation. His work with CNN transformed news broadcasting, while his land preservation efforts secured habitats for future generations. He will be remembered as a figure who blended business ambition with a deep commitment to nature.