Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and media mogul, has passed away at the age of 87
6 may 2026 в 19:37
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, media mogul, and philanthropist, passed away on May 6, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, according to a press release from Turner Enterprises. He was 87 years old. With the growing public interest in his life and career, details regarding the cause of Turner’s death have also become a topic of discussion.
In tribute to Turner, Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said: «Ted was an actively engaged and dedicated leader, bold and fearless, always ready to follow his intuition and trust his judgment. He was and will always be the spirit of CNN. Ted is a giant on whose shoulders we stand, and today we all take a moment to honor his memory and his impact on our lives and the world».
Turner is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His last marriage was to actress and activist Jane Fonda, an Oscar winner, from 1991 to 2001.
Below you can learn what happened to Turner and more about his media career.
As mentioned, Turner passed away at the age of 87 on May 6, 2026.
At the time of publication, details about the cause of Turner’s death had not been disclosed. However, the late entrepreneur had been suffering from Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disease.
Last year, he was hospitalized with a mild case of pneumonia but soon recovered.
Yes, as previously mentioned, Turner disclosed his Lewy body dementia diagnosis in 2018. In September of that year, he gave an interview to Ted Koppel on CBS Sunday Morning, where he talked about his diagnosis.
«It's a mild form of what people call Alzheimer’s disease. It’s similar to that. But not as bad», - Turner said, adding, «Alzheimer's is fatal. Thank God I don’t have that. But I also have, let’s—what is it—I can’t remember what it’s called. Dementia. I can’t remember what my illness is».
When asked about his symptoms, the late television producer replied that he felt «tired» and «exhausted», - and also experienced forgetfulness at that time
In tribute to Turner, Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said: «Ted was an actively engaged and dedicated leader, bold and fearless, always ready to follow his intuition and trust his judgment. He was and will always be the spirit of CNN. Ted is a giant on whose shoulders we stand, and today we all take a moment to honor his memory and his impact on our lives and the world».
Turner is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His last marriage was to actress and activist Jane Fonda, an Oscar winner, from 1991 to 2001.
Below you can learn what happened to Turner and more about his media career.
As mentioned, Turner passed away at the age of 87 on May 6, 2026.
At the time of publication, details about the cause of Turner’s death had not been disclosed. However, the late entrepreneur had been suffering from Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disease.
Last year, he was hospitalized with a mild case of pneumonia but soon recovered.
Yes, as previously mentioned, Turner disclosed his Lewy body dementia diagnosis in 2018. In September of that year, he gave an interview to Ted Koppel on CBS Sunday Morning, where he talked about his diagnosis.
«It's a mild form of what people call Alzheimer’s disease. It’s similar to that. But not as bad», - Turner said, adding, «Alzheimer's is fatal. Thank God I don’t have that. But I also have, let’s—what is it—I can’t remember what it’s called. Dementia. I can’t remember what my illness is».
When asked about his symptoms, the late television producer replied that he felt «tired» and «exhausted», - and also experienced forgetfulness at that time
© Smirnova Olga
