CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87

US media pioneer and Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, has died at the age of 87, marking the end of an era that transformed global television news.

Turner revolutionized the media industry after launching CNN in 1980, introducing the world’s first 24-hour rolling news channel and reshaping how audiences consumed breaking news across the globe. His model later inspired major broadcasters worldwide, including Fox News and MSNBC.

Born in Cincinnati, Turner built a vast media empire from Atlanta after taking over his family’s struggling advertising business. He later expanded into sports broadcasting and entertainment, launching networks including TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.

CNN’s global prominence surged during the 1991 Gulf War, when the network broadcast live coverage from Baghdad while many international journalists fled the city ahead of US air strikes. The coverage became a defining moment in modern television journalism.

Beyond broadcasting, Turner was widely recognized for his philanthropic work, environmental initiatives and major donations to United Nations charities. He reportedly donated around $1 billion to UN-related causes and invested heavily in wildlife conservation projects across the US.

No official cause of death was announced, although Turner had been living with Lewy body dementia since 2018.

US President Donald Trump paid tribute to Turner, describing him as one of the greatest figures in broadcast history and praising his influence on American media.