Getty Ted Turner has passed away. The CNN founder died at the age of 87 on Wednesday (May 6) surrounded by family, according to a release from Turner Enterprises, via CNN. No cause of death has been made public at this time. About eight years ago, Ted revealed he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a degenerative nerve disease. Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a complex and challenging brain disorder. LBD is characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain and cognitive decline that worsens over time.