Ted Turner, the television magnate who founded CNN and built a global media empire, died Wednesday at age 87. Turner Enterprises confirmed the death, citing Lewy Body Dementia as a factor in his later decline.

Turner transformed the news industry by launching CNN in 1980, creating the first 24-hour all-news television network. The channel gained global prominence during the 1991 Gulf War by remaining in Baghdad and broadcasting live images of the conflict.

He expanded his late father’s billboard business into Turner Broadcasting System, acquiring professional sports teams, movie studios, and vast landholdings, including the largest private bison herd in the United States. Turner sold the company to Time Warner in 1996 for $7.3 billion in stock and later expressed regret at losing control of CNN.

Turner also donated approximately $1 billion to United Nations causes and maintained high-profile philanthropic and conservation efforts. His death concludes direct involvement in the television industry, with CNN and Turner Broadcasting remaining under Time Warner successor entities.