Home / Arts and Entertainment / Media Titan Ted Turner Dies at 87
Media Titan Ted Turner Dies at 87
6 May
Summary
- CNN founder Ted Turner passed away on May 6, 2026, at 87.
- He revolutionized news with the first 24-hour cable news channel.
- Turner was married three times, to Julia Gale Nye, Jane Shirley Smith, and Jane Fonda.
Ted Turner, the influential founder of CNN and Turner Broadcasting, passed away on May 6, 2026, at the age of 87. His death was confirmed by Turner Enterprises. Turner was a transformative figure in media, credited with launching the first 24-hour cable news channel, revolutionizing news delivery for a national audience.
Throughout his life, Turner was known for his bold personality and risk-taking approach. He was married three times. His first wife was Julia Gale Nye, with whom he had two children and who largely stayed out of the public eye. His second wife, Jane Shirley Smith, was married to Turner for over two decades, and they had three children together.
Turner's third marriage was to actress and activist Jane Fonda, which garnered significant media attention. This union lasted about a decade before their divorce in 2001. Despite not having children together, Turner considered his marriage to Fonda one of his most significant relationships. He is survived by five children from his first two marriages.
