Ted Turner (1938–2026) was a media pioneer and philanthropist whose key achievements include:
- Media Innovation: Founded CNN (the first 24-hour all-news cable network) in 1980, launched the TBS Superstation in 1976, and created TNT, Cartoon Network, and TCM.
- Sports Ownership: Owned the Atlanta Braves (1976–2007) and Atlanta Hawks (1977–2001), leading the Braves to the 1995 World Series.
- Philanthropy: Pledged $1 billion to the United Nations (completed in 2015), founded the UN Foundation and Nuclear Threat Initiative, and donated over 2 million acres of land for conservation.
- Honors: Named TIME Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1991, inducted into the Television Hall of Fame (1991), and received the Paul White Award and Walter Cronkite Award for journalism.
- Sailing & Other Ventures: Won the America’s Cup in 1977 with the yacht Courageous and co-founded the Ted’s Montana Grill restaurant chain.
