Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and one of the most influential figures in the history of American media, died peacefully on May 6, 2026 at his home in Lamont, Florida. He was 87 years old. Ted Turner had revealed in 2018 that he had Lewy body dementia.

Turner built a media empire that included CNN, the first 24-hour cable news channel, as well as TNT, TBS, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network. He owned the Atlanta Braves, donated over a billion dollars to the United Nations, and became one of the largest private landowners in the United States.

Ted Turner’s death has brought renewed attention to Lewy body dementia, a disease that affects more than 1.4 million Americans and over 11 million people worldwide.

How Turner Described His Diagnosis

Turner revealed his LBD diagnosis in September 2018, shortly before his 80th birthday, in an interview with Ted Koppel on CBS Sunday Morning.

He described his main symptoms as fatigue and forgetfulness. In a moment that was both candid and telling about the nature of the disease, he struggled mid-interview to recall the name of his own condition. “I can’t remember what my disease is,” he told Koppel, before arriving at the word “dementia.”  He compared it to Alzheimer’s disease but said he considered his case less severe. 

Jane Fonda, his ex wife, said at the time that by speaking publicly about his diagnosis, Turner would give many people the opportunity to learn about the disease. That turned out to be true. His announcement in 2018 brought more public attention to LBD than almost anything before Robin Williams’ posthumous diagnosis.

Eight Years with LBD

Turner lived with Lewy body dementia for eight years after his diagnosis, which is within the typical range for the disease but longer than many people experience. His case is a reminder that LBD does not follow a single predictable course. Some people decline rapidly after diagnosis. Others, with early identification and appropriate care, live for many years.

In January 2025, Turner was hospitalized with pneumonia and spent time recovering at a rehabilitation facility before returning home. His family did not share details about the progression of his LBD in his final years.

What Is Lewy Body Dementia?

Lewy body dementia is a progressive brain disease caused by abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein inside brain cells. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, interfere with normal brain function and spread through different areas of the brain over time.

LBD is the second most common form of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, and one of the most frequently misdiagnosed. The symptoms overlap significantly with both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, which means many people spend years receiving the wrong diagnosis or treatment before anyone correctly identifies what is happening.

The core features of LBD include fluctuations in alertness and cognition, vivid visual hallucinations, and Parkinson’s-like movement symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and slow movement. REM sleep behavior disorder, where a person acts out vivid dreams, is also common and often appears years before other symptoms.

There is no cure. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, and early diagnosis matters because some medications that are safe in other conditions can cause severe reactions in people with LBD.

Why LBD Is So Often Misdiagnosed

The symptoms mentioned above are not easily seen in a doctor’s office and certain symptoms come and go at other times.  The typical path to diagnosis involves three or more doctors over a period of one to two years. By the time the correct diagnosis is reached, families have often been through multiple treatments that were not appropriate for LBD, some of which may have caused harm.  

Ted Turner, Robin Williams, and Others Who Have Had LBD

Turner joins a small group of well-known figures whose LBD diagnoses have helped bring public awareness to the disease. Robin Williams, who died in 2014, was found to have LBD on autopsy. His widow Susan Schneider Williams had spoken widely about how the disease affected him and how unrecognized it remains even now–though it is not rare. Estelle Getty, Casey Kasem, and more recently French actress Nathalie Baye, who died in April 2026, also had LBD.

Each time a public figure is identified as having had this disease, families who have been searching for answers find an entry point. Some people who called our helpline first heard the words “Lewy body dementia” in connection with Robin Williams. For others, it will be Ted Turner.

If You Recognize These Symptoms

If someone you love is showing signs that could be consistent with LBD, including unexplained cognitive changes, vivid hallucinations, significant fluctuations in alertness, or movement problems alongside memory difficulties, it is worth speaking with a neurologist who has experience with the disease.

Early and accurate diagnosis changes what is possible in terms of care, medication safety, and planning. Turner’s eight years of living with LBD after his diagnosis reflects what is possible when the disease is identified and managed appropriately.

We run the only live helpline in the United States dedicated to Lewy body dementia, available every day of the year from 8am to 8pm Eastern time. We can answer your questions, help you find specialists in your area, and connect you with support groups for people with LBD and their families. Call us at 516-218-2026 or 833-LBD-LINE, or email norma@lbdny.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Ted Turner die of? Ted Turner died on May 6, 2026, at the age of 87. His family confirmed his passing but did not officially disclose a cause of death. He had been living with Lewy body dementia since his public diagnosis in 2018.

When was Ted Turner diagnosed with Lewy body dementia? Turner announced his diagnosis in September 2018, shortly before his 80th birthday, in an interview with Ted Koppel on CBS Sunday Morning.

How long did Ted Turner live with Lewy body dementia? Turner lived for approximately eight years after his diagnosis before his death in May 2026. The average life expectancy after an LBD diagnosis is five to eight years, though some people live considerably longer.