Ted Turner, the visionary founder of CNN, passed away at the age of 87 on May 6, 2026, at his home in Lamont, Florida. His death followed a prolonged battle with Lewy body dementia and complications from pneumonia. Turner established CNN on June 1, 1980, creating the world's first 24-hour cable news channel, which transformed how audiences consumed news. He demonstrated that continuous news coverage could thrive, prompting competitors to launch their own channels. Under his leadership, CNN became a global news powerhouse, earning him the title of Time magazine's 'Man of the Year' in 1991. Beyond CNN, Turner was influential in launching other media channels, such as CNN International and TNT, and was a noted philanthropist, donating $1 billion to establish the United Nations Foundation. CNN Worldwide Chairman Mark Thompson praised Turner’s leadership, stating he was a 'giant on whose shoulders we stand.' Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.