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Washington: Ted Turner, the billionaire media mogul and founder of Cable News Network (CNN), died at the age of 87. His death was announced by Turner Enterprises on Wednesday. The exact date of his death has, however, not yet been made public

It was in 1980 that he founded CNN. While it was the world’s first 24-hour news channel, it also changed how news viewers followed breaking news in real time. The channel soon gained worldwide attention, which continues to attract a global audience even today.

Born in Ohio in 1938, Turner expanded his business beyond CNN. His company, Turner Broadcasting System, went on to include other television networks like TNT, TTBS, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network. Apart from these, he also owned professional sports teams.

A passionate yachtsman, he won the America’s Cup in 1977. He founded the United Nations Foundation later and supported various causes related to nuclear disarmament and the environment. He went on to create “Captain Planet,” an animated series.

He was named Time magazine’s Man of the Year in 1991. He was honoured for making audiences across 150 countries. Notably, he sold most of his networks to Time Warner in the 1990s. He, even then, remained associated with CNN and called it the “greatest achievement” of his life.

In 2018, he revealed of being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. It is a progressive brain disorder which effects the memory as well as cognition. He was admitted in a hospital with pneumonia last year, but recovered at a rehabilitation facility.

“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless, and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said, while issuing a statement. “He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world.”