Ted Turner died May 6, 2026. He imagined himself a great man. He was, in multiple ways. He created a huge institution: CNN. He changed things. After CNN, global news was not the same.

He won things. The America’s Cup in sailing is the fiercest challenge, not only against other sailors, but against fast boats and the weather. He fulfilled other men’s dreams: owning a major league baseball team and marrying a beautiful, smart actress.

He was a rich man, owning companies and land worth billions of dollars. He was a good man, giving huge amounts of money to philanthropy. He was an admired man and a tragic man, climbing the tallest mountains and falling.
He was there for all to see: brash, cocky, driven, opinionated, sometimes unpleasant, and full of himself.

And yes, Ted Turner died knowing he had touched lives and made a difference. In the end, that is what makes a great life.