Image Credit: Getty Images Robert Edward Turner III, also known as Ted Turner, crafted a strong reputation in the media world. Best known as the founder of CNN, Turner's death left his colleagues in mourning. However, his legacy will live on, as will his impact on cable news and the success and net worth that he built over the past few decades. Who Was Ted Turner? Turner was a media proprietor, businessman, philanthropist and the creator of CNN. He started the 24-hour cable news network in 1980. How Old Was Ted Turner When He Died? Turner was 87 when he died on May 6, 2026.