Ted Turner Net Worth $2.2 Billion

Ted Turner is a legendary American entrepreneur, media mogul, and philanthropist who forever changed the television industry. As the founder of groundbreaking networks like CNN, TNT, and TBS, he reshaped how the world consumes news and entertainment. He also owned the Atlanta Braves and helped popularize cable

 superstations. With vast landholdings and multiple business ventures, Ted Turner Net Worth $2.2 Billion represents decades of bold innovation and savvy investments. From broadcasting to environmental activism, his influence stretches far beyond media, making him one of the most iconic figures in American business history.

Ted Turner Bio

Field	Details
Full Name	Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III
Date of Birth	November 19, 1938
Birthplace	Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Nationality	American
Profession	Media Mogul, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
Known For	Founder of CNN, TNT, TBS; Former Owner of Atlanta Braves
Net Worth	$2.2 Billion
Major Companies	CNN, Turner Broadcasting System, Turner Entertainment, Ted’s Montana Grill
Philanthropy	Founder of the Turner Foundation, Pledged $1 Billion to the UN
Land Ownership	Approx. 2 million acres (Second largest landowner in the USA)
Education	Attended Brown University (did not graduate)
Marital History	Married 3 times; notably to actress Jane Fonda (1991–2001)
Children	5
Notable Awards	Inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, National Sailing Hall of Fame
Health	Diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (2018)

What Is Ted Turner’s Net Worth?

Ted Turner’s net worth stands at $2.2 billion, which reflects his success as a media entrepreneur and savvy investor. He built part of his fortune by founding CNN, TNT, TBS, and expanding into land and ranch property. As the second largest landowner in the United States, he owns nearly two million acres, making him famous for being able to ride a horse from Canada to Mexico without exiting his own holdings.

Beyond his massive ranch, Turner continues to generate wealth through cable networks, real estate ventures, and his fondness for environmental philanthropy. You’ll often hear the name “Ted Turner Net Worth” tied to discussions about enduring media empires and strategic growth. His legacy isn’t just in numbers it’s in the reshaping of how Americans consume information and entertainment.

Early Life

Ted Turner grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, after spending early years in Savannah, Georgia. He attended the private McCallie Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and later enrolled at Brown University. While he initially majored in Classics, his father expected more, so he switched to Economics only to be expelled for being caught with a girl in his dorm.

Even in his youth, Turner showed leadership as captain of the sailing team and vice president of the debating union. These early roles in debate and sports laid the groundwork for his bold, confident style in business. His experiences in Georgia, sailing and debating, shaped a driven young man ready to take big risks.

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Turner Advertising Company

After his father tragically died by suicide in 1963, Ted took over the Billboard business in Macon, Georgia. He became president and CEO, overseeing a booming operation with radio stations across the South. During the Vietnam War era, he turned profits into aggressive expansion.

Rather than resting on steady revenue, Turner sold off radio outlets to fund new ventures. He invested in broadcasting and laid the foundation for his cable media empire. His bold pivot created not just a regional powerhouse but the spark for national influence.

Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS)

In the mid-1970s, Turner bought UHF channels like WTCG, WRET, and later relaunched them as WTBS, America’s first superstation. He aired classics like I Love Lucy, Gilligan’s Island, and Star Trek, grabbing programming that VHF networks overlooked. Then, in 1976 and 1977, he purchased the Atlanta Braves and Hawks, using their games to fill his network with must-watch content.

Turner used sports programming to transform cable television. WTBS beamed Braves games into millions of homes, helping the team and network rise together. His clever combo of team ownership and broadcasting showed how network content and sports can boost each other exponentially.

CNN

In 1978, Ted Turner proposed a dream: a 24-hour news service built on satellites and an all-electronic newsroom. With partner Reese Schonfeld, he funded the network using proceeds from selling WRET. They created CNN in Atlanta, officially launching it to revolutionize news media.

In 1982, Turner took over as CEO, guiding CNN through hurricanes, wars, and landmark events. With staff working around the clock from a streamlined headquarters, CNN delivered global stories faster than ever before. It transformed how Americans consumed information and cemented Turner’s place as a visionary innovator.

Turner Entertainment

In 1986, Turner created Turner Entertainment after acquiring MGM’s library of 2,200 pre-1986 films. He launched cable channels like Turner Classic Movies (TCM) to show the classics, but not without controversy. He’d colorize old black-and-white films like Casablanca, sparking outrage from cinephiles and critics such as Roger Ebert, who called it “a vulgarity of computerized graffiti gangs.”

Despite the heat, Turner’s cozy channels preserved cinematic history and made great use of syndicated content. He knew television found power in curated archives and understood viewers found comfort and nostalgia in golden-era movies.

AOL Time Warner

Turner merged his media empire into Time Warner in 1996, becoming Vice Chairman before stepping away as cable networks chief. He launched TNT, revived WCW wrestling after buying Jim Crockett Promotions, and co-founded Turner Network Television. By 2001, it joined AOL in a massive but troubled merger, creating AOL Time Warner.

Even as roles shifted and he gradually resigned, Turner left lasting marks on the corporate media landscape. He saw his cable networks grow, his investments thrive, and earned both acclaim and criticism. A massive $80 billion takeover offer from Murdoch’s Fox in 2014 though rejected shows just how valuable these assets became.

Other Work

Ted Turner also launched the animated show Captain Planet and the Planeteers to promote environmental awareness among youth. In 2010, he co-founded Ted’s Montana Grill with George McKerrow Jr., opening the first out of Columbus, Ohio. Today, roughly 46 restaurants across 16 states serve sustainable beef and fish.

Always intent on cultural impact, he supported independent media in Russia by co-founding the Moscow Independent Broadcasting Corporation in 1993. Turner combined his business acumen with environmental values to create ventures that cared about people and the planet.

Personal Life

Ted Turner has been married three times and fathered five children. Sailing runs deep in his veins he captained the racing yacht Courageous, defended the America’s Cup in 1977, and joined the Olympic sailing trials in 1964. Turner joined the America’s Cup Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011.

In 2018, he revealed battling Lewy body dementia, a condition that’s changed his daily life. Still, he owns roughly 1.9 million acres, including vast ranches such as Vermejo Park in New Mexico. He’s a private yet powerful steward of his ranchland, conservation, and ranching heritage.

Jane Fonda Divorce Settlement

Ted Turner married Jane Fonda in 1991 and divorced in 2001, resulting in a settlement of over $100 million. She received liquid cash, stock, and a 2,500-acre ranch. Despite this hefty payout, it barely cut into his wealth and lands.

This divorce became part of his financial narrative, tied to the AOL dot-com bubble and the rising value of Turner’s media assets. Even after splitting major assets, his portfolio remained strong driven by cable success, network growth, and a continued legacy of business brilliance.

Conclusion

Ted Turner Net Worth $2.2 Billion reflects a lifetime of bold decisions, groundbreaking media innovation, and unmatched land ownership. From creating CNN and TBS to owning millions of acres across America, Turner built a legacy few can match. His business moves, environmental efforts, and cultural impact continue to shape industries today. Despite personal challenges and high-profile moments like the Jane Fonda divorce, his empire remains strong. Ted Turner’s story isn’t just about wealth, it’s about vision, risk-taking, and transforming how the world watches, listens, and learns.