Early Life
Turner took over his father's billboard advertising business in Atlanta after his father's death in 1963.
Career
He built it into a media company, launching the cable superstation WTBS, and in 1980 founded CNN. He later launched Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies. He owned the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks and won the 1977 America's Cup as skipper of Courageous.
Legacy
In 1997 Turner pledged $1 billion to support United Nations causes, creating the United Nations Foundation. He sold Turner Broadcasting to Time Warner in 1996 and died on May 6, 2026, at age 87.
Sources and further reading
Last updated: 2026-09-24