The popular business mogul, Ted Turner, whom you might recognise as the founder of CNN and Turner Broadcasting, has passed away. According to reports, he took his last breath at the age of 87 on May 6, 2026. CNN broke the news of Ted’s passing, citing a news release from Turner Enterprises. While Ted Turner was alive, he was known for his bold personality and willingness to take risks.
Ted played a significant role in how news was delivered by launching the first 24-hour cable news channel. Similarly, Ted also transformed the way in which sports teams could be marketed to a national audience. It is safe to say that Ted had successfully established himself as one of the most recognisable media figures of this era. However, in his personal life, did you know that Ted Turner was married three times? So, if you are curious to learn about Ted’s three wives and their relationships, here’s everything we know.
Ted Turner’s first wife, Julia Gale Nye, largely stayed out of the spotlight
Ted Turner tied the knot with his first wife, Julia (Judy) Gale Nye, back in 1960. Their marriage lasted several years until they ended up getting divorced in 1994. In the years of their marriage, Ted and Julia had welcomed two children together. It is worth noting that Julia preferred to remain out of the spotlight despite her husband being such a major public figure.
The same was true when Ted’s media career kept accelerating in the later decades. According to reports, Ted and Julia formed a relationship when the CNN founder was still in his early years of business, before he built his broadcasting career that has made him a household name at present.
Ted Turner was married to his second wife, Jane Shirley Smith, for over two decades
Ted Turner got married to his second wife, Jane Shirley Smith, in 1965. The duo’s relationship lasted over two decades. Unfortunately, they ended up going their separate ways in 1989 after almost 20 years of marriage. Together, Ted and Jane had welcomed three children. Apparently, at this time, Ted was focused on expanding his television holdings. After taking incredibly high-profile risks across sports and media, Ted successfully acquired the Atlanta Braves and built out his cable networks.
Ted Turner’s third marriage was to actress and activist, Jane Fonda
Ted Turner’s third marriage was an incredibly high-profile one to actor and activist, Jane Fonda. The former couple tied the knot in 1991. Among his three marriages, it was Ted’s relationship with Jane that drew widespread attention because of their celebrity status and influence in different fields. It is safe to say that their marriage brought together two of the most recognisable public figures of that era.
Ted and Jane’s marriage lasted for about a decade before they divorced in 2001. It is worth noting that they did not have any children together. Their relationship was constantly in the public eye, especially because at the time, Ted’s media empire was expanding more than ever while Jane was continuing her work in film and activism.
Furthermore, Ted and Jane’s marriage used to often highlight a broader mix of personalities and priorities that defined both of their careers. As we previously mentioned, Ted was known for his outspoken and often unpredictable style. This used to contrast with Jane’s, as she was mainly focused on activism and spirituality at the time.
To mention, even after Ted and Jane got divorced, their relationship continued to play a big part in the media mogul’s life. For the uninitiated, Ted had even openly spoken out about the significance of his marriage with the actress. He had described it as one of the most important relationships he ever had. This goes to show just how closely their personal life and public profile were intertwined at the time.
How many kids does Ted Turner have?
In his first two marriages, Ted Turner had five children. His children include Laura Turner Seydel, Robert Edward Turner IV, Rhett Turner, Beauregard Turner and Jennie Turner.
About Ted Turner’s death
Ted Turner passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. As of now, the reason for his death has not been announced. However, several online reports claim that Ted was living with a serious brain disorder called Lewy body dementia since 2018. It is believed that this disease is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. In 2025, Ted was also hospitalised due to pneumonia, as per The Guardian.
At the time of his death, Ted’s net worth was around USD 2.8 billion based on Forbes’ real-time billionaire rankings. However, another report by Celebrity Net Worth claims that Ted had a net worth of USD 2.2 billion in 2026. Speaking about Ted, in a statement, CNN CEO Mark Thompson said:
“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement. 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 recognise him and his impact on our lives and the world.”
What are your thoughts on Ted Turner’s three marriages? Let us know.
Also read: Ted Turner Dies At 87, Know The Media Mogul And CNN Founder’s Net Worth At The Time Of His Death
