Ted Turner, the billionaire media mogul and founder of CNN, had a high-profile personal life that often attracted as much attention as his groundbreaking media career. Over the years, Turner was married three times, with his most famous relationship being with Hollywood actress Jane Fonda.
Turner, who died today at the age of 87, remained one of the most influential figures in television history after launching CNN, the world’s first 24-hour news network.
Ted Turner’s Most Famous Wife: Jane Fonda
Ted Turner married Jane Fonda in 1991. At the time, the couple became one of America’s most talked-about celebrity power couples.
Fonda was already an Oscar-winning actress and activist, while Turner had built a massive media empire through CNN, TBS, and Turner Broadcasting. Their marriage frequently made headlines throughout the 1990s due to their public appearances, philanthropy, and influence in entertainment and business.
However, the couple divorced in 2001 after nearly a decade together. Despite the separation, Fonda later spoke respectfully about Turner in interviews, calling him one of the most important relationships in her life.
How Many Times Was Ted Turner Married?
Before marrying Jane Fonda, Ted Turner had been married twice earlier in his life.
His first wife was Judy Nye, whom he married in 1960. The couple later divorced in 1964.
Turner’s second marriage was to Jane Shirley Smith in 1965. They remained together for more than two decades before divorcing in 1988.
In total, Ted Turner had five children from his marriages and relationships.
Ted Turner’s Personal Life and Legacy
Beyond his marriages, Turner was widely known for his adventurous personality, philanthropy, and passion for conservation. He became one of the largest private landowners in the United States and donated billions toward environmental and humanitarian causes.
Professionally, Turner changed global journalism forever when he launched CNN in 1980, introducing the world’s first 24-hour cable news channel.
His marriage to Jane Fonda remains one of the most remembered chapters of his personal life, linking two of the biggest names in media and entertainment during the 1990s.