New York. Ted Turner, the brash media pioneer who transformed television news by launching the first 24-hour network, CNN, has died at 87.

Turner died Wednesday surrounded by family, according to Turner Enterprises, which manages his business and investments.

A larger-than-life figure, Turner built a media empire from his late father’s billboard business, expanding it into Turner Broadcasting System before selling it to Time Warner in 1996 for $7.3 billion. His holdings included major cable networks, sports teams, and film studios.

His most enduring legacy was the creation of CNN in 1980, a groundbreaking concept at the time that introduced round-the-clock news coverage. Initially dismissed by critics, CNN gained global prominence during the 1991 Gulf War, when it broadcast live from Baghdad as the conflict began.

Turner later expressed regret over losing control of the company following its sale.

“I made a mistake,” he once said. “The mistake I made was losing control of the company.”

Born Nov. 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Turner grew up in Georgia and took over his father’s advertising business after his father’s death in 1963. He expanded into broadcasting, buying a struggling Atlanta television station and transforming it into the TBS SuperStation in 1976, one of the first nationwide cable channels.

Turner also built a vast film and television library through acquisitions, including MGM and Hanna-Barbera, which later supported the launch of networks such as TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network.

Beyond media, Turner was deeply involved in sports and land conservation. He owned multiple professional teams in Atlanta, including the Braves, which he helped turn into a national brand. He also won the America’s Cup in 1977.

Turner amassed more than 2 million acres of land, becoming one of the largest private landowners in the United States, and established the country’s largest bison herd. His business ventures extended to hospitality, including the Ted’s Montana Grill restaurant chain.

In later years, Turner focused on philanthropy. In 1997, he pledged $1 billion to United Nations causes, one of the largest charitable donations at the time. He also co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative to reduce global security risks.

Turner’s outspoken personality earned him nicknames such as “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South.” His remarks sometimes sparked controversy, though he often apologized.

Despite his fortune fluctuating sharply, at one point dropping by billions during a market downturn, Turner remained committed to environmental and humanitarian causes, frequently warning about climate change and global security threats.

He was married three times, including to actor Jane Fonda, and had five children.

In his later years, Turner lived with Lewy body dementia and stepped back from public life.

Reflecting his restless drive, Turner once said: “My life is more an adventure than a quest to make money.”

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