Ted Turner, the media mogul who founded CNN, died on May 6, 2026, at age 87. Over nearly six decades in business, Turner built one of the most influential media empires in American history — and lived a personal life that drew almost as much attention as his career. He was married three times, to three very different women, and had five children across those marriages. Here’s what’s actually documented about each marriage, along with the family he leaves behind.
Who Was Ted Turner?
Born Robert Edward Turner III on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Turner took over his father’s billboard advertising company in 1963 after his father’s death, and built it into a global broadcasting empire. He founded CNN in 1980 — the first 24-hour cable news channel — along with WTBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and the Cartoon Network. He also owned the Atlanta Braves for years and was known for his environmental philanthropy, including founding the United Nations Foundation and helping bring the American bison back from near-extinction. In his later years, Turner lived with Lewy Body Dementia, a diagnosis he disclosed publicly about eight years before his death. He died at his home in Florida, surrounded by family.
Ted Turner’s Three Marriages, in Order
- Julia “Judy” Nye — married 1960, divorced 1964
- Jane Shirley Smith — married 1965, divorced 1988
- Jane Fonda — married 1991, divorced 2001
Each marriage lines up with a different era of Turner’s life and career.
First Marriage: Julia “Judy” Nye
Turner married Julia Gale Nye in 1960, early in his career and years before he built the media empire he’d later become known for. The marriage lasted four years and produced two children: daughter Laura Lee and son Robert Edward “Teddy” Turner IV. Nye kept a low public profile both during the marriage and in the decades since, even as Turner’s career took off.
Second Marriage: Jane Shirley Smith
Turner married Jane Shirley Smith in 1965, not long after his father’s death pushed him to take over the family business. The marriage lasted more than two decades, ending in divorce in 1988 — the longest of his three marriages.
Smith and Turner had three children together: sons Rhett (born 1965) and Beau (born 1968), and daughter Sarah Jean “Jennie” (born 1969). Some published accounts describe Smith as a former Delta Air Lines flight attendant who met Turner at a Young Republicans gathering, though detailed biographical information about her is limited. She kept a private profile both during the marriage and after it, and has not maintained any public career or public presence of her own.
This is also where a common mix-up happens: people searching for Jane Shirley Smith sometimes land on information about Jane Fonda instead, since both women were married to Turner. They are not the same person. Smith was Turner’s second wife; Fonda, the actress and activist, was his third.
Third Marriage: Jane Fonda
Turner’s best-known marriage was to actress and activist Jane Fonda. The two began dating in 1990 and married on December 21, 1991 — Fonda’s 54th birthday — at Turner’s plantation in Florida. They divorced in 2001, after a decade together. Of his three marriages, this one drew by far the most public attention, given Fonda’s own fame. Following Turner’s death, Fonda publicly paid tribute to him, describing the lasting impact he had on her life.
Turner’s Family Today
Across his three marriages, Turner had five children in total: Laura Lee and Robert “Teddy” Edward IV with Nye, and Rhett, Beau, and Jennie with Smith. According to Turner Enterprises, he is survived by his five children, fourteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The family asked for privacy as they grieve his death.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times was Ted Turner married? Three times — to Julia “Judy” Nye (1960–1964), Jane Shirley Smith (1965–1988), and Jane Fonda (1991–2001).
Who was Ted Turner’s first wife? Julia “Judy” Nye. They married in 1960 and divorced in 1964, and had two children together.
Who was Ted Turner’s second wife? Jane Shirley Smith. They married in 1965 and divorced in 1988, after more than 20 years together, and had three children: Rhett, Beau, and Jennie.
Was Jane Fonda Ted Turner’s only wife? No. Fonda was his third wife. He was married twice before, to Julia Nye and Jane Shirley Smith.
How many children did Ted Turner have? Five, across his three marriages — two with Julia Nye, and three with Jane Shirley Smith.
Is Jane Shirley Smith the same person as Jane Fonda? No. They’re two different women who were married to Turner at different times — Smith from 1965 to 1988, and Fonda from 1991 to 2001.
What did Ted Turner die of? Turner died on May 6, 2026, at age 87, at his home in Florida. He had disclosed a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive brain disease, about eight years earlier.
What companies did Ted Turner found? He founded CNN, the first 24-hour cable news channel, along with WTBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and the Cartoon Network. He also owned the Atlanta Braves.
Sources
- CNN — “Ted Turner, CNN founder who pioneered cable TV news, dies at 87”
- NPR — “CNN founder Ted Turner dies at 87”
- Turner Enterprises — official statement on Ted Turner’s passing
- Wikipedia — “Ted Turner”
- Newsweek — “Ted Turner’s Ex-Wives Explained as Jane Fonda Issues Tribute”
- AOL — “What to Know About Ted Turner’s 3 Ex-Wives, Including Actress Jane Fonda”
