Ted Turner, founder of CNN and creator of the 24-hour news cycle, has died at the age of 87 at his home near Tallahassee, Florida.
A spokesman for the Turner family, Phillip Evans, confirmed his death.
Turner announced in 2018 that he was suffering from Lewy body dementia, a degenerative brain disorder.
His business ventures, which involved professional sports, environmentalism, and philanthropy, had a considerable impact on American culture. However, his arguably most important contribution was the creation of the 24-hour news cycle through CNN.
CNN CEO: Turner will always be CNN's 'presiding spirit'
“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgment,” Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said in a statement. “He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world.”
Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.