Ted Turner was an American entrepreneur, television producer, media owner, and philanthropist. He is primarily known as the founder of the Cable News Network (CNN), the first 24-hour cable news channel. He is also known as the founder of WTBS.
Ted Turner Biography
| Full Name | Rebert Edward Turner III |
| Nickname | Ted Turner |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, philanthropist. |
| Date of Birth | 19 November 1938 |
| Age | 87 years old (at the time of death in 2026) |
| Birth Place | Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| School | The McCallie School (a private boys’ preparatory school) |
| College | Brown University |
| Education Qualification | Expelled from University |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Death of Death | 6 May 2026 |
| Place of Death | Near Tallahassee, Florida, USA |
| Cause of Death | Not revealed |
Ted Turner Age
Ted Turner was born on 19 November 1938 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. He was 87 years old at the time of her death in May 2026, and his zodiac sign was Virgo.
Ted Turner Wife, Girlfriend
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Affairs/Girlfriend | Julia Gale Nye Jane Shirley Smith Jane Fonda |
| Spouse/Wife | Julia Gale Nye (m. 1960, div. 1964) Jane Shirley Smith (m. 1965, div. 1998) Jane Fonda (m. 1991, div. 2001) |
| Children | Five children |
Ted Turner Family
| Father’s Name | Robert Edward Turner II (billboard magnate) |
| Mother’s Name | Florence Turner |
| Brother’s Name | Unknown |
| Sister’s Name | Unknown |
Career
| 1960 to 1970 | Joined his father’s company, Tuner Advertising Co., after being expelled form college |
| 1963 | He took over on his father’s company after his father’s suicide |
| Building a Media Empire | 1970 – Purchased Atlanta UHF station WJRJ 1976 – Launched WTBS as the first national “superstation” via satellite. 1980 – founded Cabel New Network 1988 – Launched Turner Network Television |
| 1992 | He launched Cartoon Network |
| 1994 | Launched Turner Classic Movies |
| 2008 | Published his autobiography, Call Me Ted |
Ted Turner Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 185 cm In meters – 1.85 m In feet & inches – 6’1” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 80 kg In pounds – 176 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | White |
Ted Turner Net Worth
American entrepreneur, television producer, and philanthropist Ted Turner’s net worth was between $2.2 billion and $2.8 billion.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $2.2 billion to $2.8 billion (at the time of his death in 2026) |
| Real Estate | He had a vast land holding |
| Income sources | Real estate, business, investment |
Some Interesting Facts About Ted Turner
- Ted Turner was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Florence and Robert Edward Turner II.
- His father was a billboard magnate.
- When he was nine, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia, and raised him as an Episcopalian.
- He attended and graduated from The McCallie School, a private boys’ preparatory school.
- He attended Brown University and was vice-president of the Brown Debating Union.
- His father wrote saying that his choice made him “appalled, even horrified” and that he “almost punked.”
- He was awarded an honorary B. A. from Brown University in November 1989.
- After leaving college, I returned to the South in late 1960 to become general manager of the Macon, Georgia.
- Tuner Field was first used for the 1996 Summer Olympics as Centennial Olympic Stadium.
- In 1979, he sold his North Carolina station, WRET.
- In 1981, Turner Broadcasting System acquired Brut Production from Faberge Cosmetics.
- In 1998, he introduced Turner Network Television with Gone With the Wind.
- He was married and divorced three times and had five children through his marriages.
- Ted Turner died on 6 May 2026, at his home near Tallahassee, Florida, at the age of 87.
- In 2018, he revealed his diagnosis of Lewy Body dementia in an interview on CBS.
FAQ:
How old was Ted Turner?
Ted Turner was 87 years old at the time of his death in May 2026.
Who is Ted Turner’s wife?
Ted Turner was married to his third wife, Jane Fonda, from 1991 to 2001.
What was Ted Turner’s net worth?
At the time of his death, Ted Turner’s net worth was between $2.2 billion and $2.8 billion.
What happened to Ted Turner?
Ted Turner died on 6 May 2026, at age 87.