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 2024
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.
Ted Turner Biography Details
| Born | Robert Edward Turner III November 19, 1938 (age 85) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Alma mater | Brown University |
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| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, philanthropist |
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| Years active | 1960–present |
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| 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
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| Spouses | |
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| Children | 5 |
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| Website | tedturner.com |
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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.
