Ted Turner, the founder of cable news giant CNN, former owner of the Atlanta Braves and an America’s Cup sailing champion, is recovering after a recent bout with pneumonia, a spokesperson said Monday.
A spokesperson for the 86-year-old media mogul told CNN that Turner is “doing well in rehab.”
“While he was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia in 2018 and despite the health challenges it presents, Ted continues to remain resilient and engaged in his professional and personal endeavors,” Phillip Evans said in a statement to CNN.
Turner first revealed his Lewy Body dementia diagnosis in 2018, WSB-TV reported. The Lewy Body Dementia Association said that an estimated 1.4 million Americans are affected by the disease, which is the second most common form of degenerative dementia.
Turner launched CNN, a 24-hour cable news network, in 1980.
He owned the Braves from 1976 to 1996. On Dec.17, 1976, Turner launched the Superstation, WTBS, when he transmitted a signal from Channel 17 in Atlanta (WTCG) to RCA’s Satcom 1 satellite.
Ted Turner hospitalized for pneumonia, ‘doing well in rehab’ https://t.co/Dn1pJ2i6CA
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) January 7, 2025
Turner sold his stake in the Braves in October 1996 when Turner Broadcasting merged with Time Warner. The latter company owned the National League franchise until 2007, when it was sold to Liberty Media.
Turner was named Time magazine’s “Man of the Year” in 1991 and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.
In 1977, Turner, dubbed “Captain Outrageous,” guided the yacht Courageous to a 4-0 sweep against Australia in the 37th America’s Cup.
He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1992.
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