Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, has passed away at the age of 87.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and an influential figure in media, sports, and conservation, has died at the age of 87, as confirmed by Turner Enterprises. Details about his passing have not been disclosed as of the time of publication. 📺 DETAIL: Turner’s launching of CNN as the first 24-hour cable news network in 1980 changed the news industry fundamentally. Beyond media, he owned the Atlanta Braves and Hawks, and poured a billion dollars into the United Nations Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes support for the UN, and served as chairman of its board up to his passing. In 2018, Turner revealed he was battling Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “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.” – CNN Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson 🎯 IMPACT: Turner’s push for 24-hour news broadcasting reshaped journalism. 📺 FLASHBACK: Turner married three times, including a decade-long union with controversial actress Jane Fonda, whom he described as the great love of his life. He was a strong critic of Christianity, describing it as a “religion for losers” and mocking Catholics marking Ash Wednesday as “Jesus freaks.” |
