Robert Edward Turner III born November 19, 1938 is a renowned American entrepreneur, television producer, media mogul, and philanthropist. He is best known for founding the Cable News Network (CNN), the first-ever 24-hour cable news channel, and for establishing WTBS, which introduced the superstation concept in cable TV, later becoming TBS. A committed philanthropist, Turner donated $1 billion to create the United Nations Foundation, a public charity designed to enhance U.S. support for the UN, where he also serves as Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. In 2001, he co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) alongside U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, aiming to reduce global dependence on and prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Turner currently serves as Co-Chairman of NTI’s Board.
Ted Turner Biography 2025
Turner’s media empire began with his father’s billboard business, Turner Outdoor Advertising, which he inherited in 1963 after his father’s tragic suicide. His purchase of a UHF television station in Atlanta in 1970 led to the creation of Turner Broadcasting System. Turner’s launch of CNN revolutionized the news industry, notably during events like the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 and the Gulf War in 1991. He also bought the Atlanta Braves baseball team, turning it into a national sensation and leading it to a World Series victory in 1995. In addition, Turner purchased Jim Crockett Promotions, which he transformed into World Championship Wrestling (WCW), breathing new life into the sport of professional wrestling. Known for his bold, controversial statements, Turner earned the nicknames “The Mouth of the South” and “Captain Outrageous.” A passionate advocate for environmental causes, Turner was once the largest private landowner in the U.S. until surpassed by John C. Malone in 2011. He uses much of his vast landholdings to promote bison ranching for his Ted’s Montana Grill chain and maintains the world’s largest herd of bison. He also created the environmental-themed animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteers.
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Ted Turner Biography Details
Born
Robert Edward Turner III
November 19, 1938 (age 85)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Alma mater
Brown University
Occupation(s)
Entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, philanthropist
Years active
1960–present
Known for
Founder of TNT, TBS, and CNN
Co-founder of the Nuclear Threat Initiative
Former Atlanta Hawks owner
Former Atlanta Braves owner
Former Atlanta Thrashers owner
Former World Championship Wrestling owner
Co-founder of Ted’s Montana Grill
Founder of TV-6
Co-creator of Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Spouses
Julia Gale Nye
(m. 1960; div. 1964)
Jane Shirley Smith
(m. 1965; div. 1988)
Jane Fonda
(m. 1991; div. 2001)
Children
5
Website
tedturner.com
Ted Turner Early Life
Turner was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Florence and Robert Edward Turner II, a prominent billboard magnate. At age nine, his family relocated to Savannah, Georgia, where he was raised in the Episcopal faith. Turner attended The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and later enrolled at Brown University, where he served as vice president of the Brown Debating Union and captain of the sailing team. Though he initially studied classics, Turner switched to economics after his father expressed strong disapproval of his first choice. However, before completing his degree, Turner was expelled from Brown for having a female student in his dorm room.
Despite this setback, Brown University awarded him an honorary B.A. in 1989, when he returned to deliver the keynote address at the National Association of College Broadcasters’ annual conference. With tensions rising over the Vietnam War, Turner joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve to fulfill his military service, avoiding the draft. In 2013, he was honored with the U.S. Navy Memorial’s Lone Sailor Award, where he reflected on his time in the Coast Guard, joking about his love for boats and his assignments to places like Charleston and Fort Lauderdale.
Ted Turner Bio
Fact
Details
Full Name
Robert Edward Turner III
Birth Date
November 19, 1938
Place of Birth
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Parents
Florence (née Rooney) and Robert Edward Turner II
Education
Brown University (expelled before graduation)
Early Interests
Debating, sailing
Ted Turner Business Career
Business Venture
Details
Turner Outdoor Advertising
Inherited from his father in 1963
Turner Broadcasting System
Founded in 1970 after purchasing a failing Atlanta TV station
CNN
Launched in 1980 as the first 24-hour cable news network
WTBS
Rebranded WTCG to a national superstation in 1976
Ted Turner Media Influence
Media Initiative
Details
CNN (Cable News Network)
Revolutionized news by offering 24-hour coverage
TBS
Expanded TV content across the U.S. via satellite to cable providers
The Goodwill Games
Created in 1986 to promote peace through sports
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Environmental-themed animated series produced by Turner
Ownership of Sports Teams
Sports Team
Details
Atlanta Braves
Owned from 1976 to 2007, led the team to the 1995 World Series title
Atlanta Hawks
Owned from 1977 to 2004, helped popularize the NBA in the South
Atlanta Thrashers
Owned from 1997 to 2011, team relocated to Winnipeg
Goodwill Games
Created in 1986 to reduce tensions between East and West
Ted Turner Philanthropic Efforts
Philanthropic Initiative
Details
United Nations Foundation
Donated $1 billion to support UN initiatives
Nuclear Threat Initiative
Co-founded with Senator Sam Nunn to reduce nuclear, biological, and chemical threats
Turner Foundation
Focused on environmental conservation and population control
The Giving Pledge
Vowed to donate the majority of his wealth to charity
Ted Turner Personal Life and Relationships
Relationship
Details
First Marriage
Julia Gale Nye (1960–1964)
Second Marriage
Jane Shirley Smith (1965–1988)
Third Marriage
Jane Fonda (1991–2001)
Children
5 children
Ted Turner Political Views
Political Position
Details
Healthcare Reform
Advocated for universal healthcare in the U.S.
Iran’s Nuclear Position
Supported Iran’s right to nuclear technology
Environmental Advocacy
Strong proponent of solar, wind, and geothermal energy
Environmental Advocacy
Environmental Initiative
Details
Bison Ranching
Promoted the re-popularization of bison meat through Ted’s Montana Grill
Captain Planet
Created an animated series focused on environmental conservation
Land Ownership
Was once the largest private landowner in the U.S., using land for environmental conservation
Ted Turner Sailing Career
Event
Details
America’s Cup
Successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1977 with yacht Courageous
Fastnet Race
Won the 1979 Fastnet Race despite a deadly storm
Induction
Inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame (1993) and the National Sailing Hall of Fame (2011)
Ted Turner Impact on Popular Culture
Cultural Contribution
Point
Captain Planet
Created an iconic animated series focused on environmental issues
Media Persona
Known for his controversial statements and bold public persona
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Received a star in 2004 for his contributions to media
Awards and Honors
Award
Facts
Peabody Award
Won in 1997 for excellence in media
Walter Cronkite Award
Received for journalism excellence in 1990
Lifetime Achievement Emmys
Awarded for sports (2014) and news/documentary (2015)
Ted Turner Military Service
Military Service
Details
Branch
United States Coast Guard Reserve
Service Period
Served during the Vietnam War era to avoid being drafted
Awards
Lone Sailor Award from the U.S. Navy Memorial in 2013
Rivalry with Rupert Murdoch
Event
Details
First Clash
1983 yacht race collision led to a public feud
Fox News vs. CNN
Murdoch’s Fox News became a direct competitor to Turner’s CNN
Ted Turner Net Worth
Ted Turner has a net worth of $2.6 billion USD.
Ted Turner Summary
Ted Turner is an influential American entrepreneur, media mogul, and philanthropist, best known for founding CNN, the first 24-hour cable news network, and for pioneering the superstation concept with WTBS. He expanded his media empire by owning the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and World Championship Wrestling, and also created the environmental series Captain Planet and the Planeteers. Turner is a committed philanthropist, donating over $1 billion to the United Nations Foundation and co-founding the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Throughout his career, Turner has been outspoken on political and environmental issues, including advocating for universal healthcare and addressing population growth. He has also faced personal and professional challenges, including a high-profile feud with Rupert Murdoch.
