Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, died peacefully at age 87 according to a statement from Turner Enterprises. The billionaire media mogul, born in Ohio and known as “The Mouth of the South” for his outspoken nature, built an empire spanning cable television, film channels, sports franchises like the Atlanta Braves, and environmental initiatives.

Turner’s legacy includes pioneering 24-hour news networks that revolutionized global broadcasting. He was named Time magazine’s Man of the Year in 1991 for “influencing the dynamic of events and turning viewers in 150 countries into instant witnesses of history.” After selling his media holdings to Time Warner, Turner remained deeply proud of CNN, calling it “the greatest achievement” of his life.

A longtime environmental advocate, Turner played a key role in reintroducing bison to the American West and founded the United Nations Foundation. He also created the educational cartoon Captain Planet. In later years, he became one of America’s largest private landowners, reportedly managing 14 ranch properties across the U.S., including an expansive Montana estate where he spent significant time before his death. At the time of his passing, Turner’s estimated net worth was $2.6 billion, with substantial investments in agricultural and environmental assets.

Turner, who previously married actress Jane Fonda, dedicated his final years to ranching and conservation efforts, leaving a lasting impact on both media and natural landscapes. His death marks the end of an era for one of television’s most transformative figures.