He American businessman Ted Turner, founder of CNN, died this Wednesday at the age of 87, the network itself reported.
Born in 1938 in Cincinnati, Turner revolutionized the global news landscape with the launch of the first 24-hour news channel in 1980.
He also built an influential media empire that included networks such as TBS and TNT and converted to CNN in an international information reference.
His most emblematic project, CNN, became a central player in the coverage of all types of global events, from war conflicts to presidential elections and natural disasters, which consolidated the concept of real-time information on a global scale, which Turner himself described as “the greatest achievement of his life.”
Nicknamed “The Mouth of the South” Because of his direct nature and unfiltered style, Turner was also an active philanthropist who created the United Nations Foundation to support the work of the UN and finance some of its initiatives.
In addition, he was involved in environmental projects, including conservation initiatives such as the reintroduction of the bison in western USA
He was also an activist who promoted nuclear disarmament and a well-known defender of causes linked to sustainability and international cooperation.
In 1991 he was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for his influence and the role he played in the transformation of modern communication.
Turner also expanded his interests into sports and entertainment, eventually owning teams such as the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
In his final years, the businessman continued to be linked to his philanthropic initiatives, although he reduced his public activity after revealing in 2018 that he suffered from dementia with Lewy bodies, a neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain and causes a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions.
Turner leaves behind five children, fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, according to CNN.
