Ted Turner, the outspoken founder of CNN, has died aged 87.
Turner, who launched the first 24-hour all-news TV network in 1980, died on Wednesday, according to Turner Enterprises website.
No cause of death was given, but his website said he died “after a long battle with Lewy body dementia”.
In September 2018, Turner revealed he had the degenerative nerve disease that causes a mental decline with physical symptoms similar to Parkinson’s.
His website described him as “the audacious cable pioneer, arguably best known for creating CNN and Turner Broadcasting”.
The billionaire, who was known for being brash and outspoken, owned professional sports teams in Atlanta and was an avid yacht racer, defending the America’s Cup in yachting in 1977.
He was a philanthropist, donating $1bn to United Nations charities, which he called “the best investment I’ve ever made”. (SkyNews)
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