Ted Turner: His faith walk evolved over the decades

Ted Turner's religious views evolved

Ted Turner, the billionaire cable news pioneer, died on May 6, 2026, at 87. No specific cause of death was given, but in September 2018, Turner revealed that he was suffering from Lewy body dementia, a brain disorder that affects memory and other cognitive functions.

Whenever celebrities pass away, a common question is what their faith belief was or lack thereof. Turner's views on religion changed over the decades, and it's still unclear just what he believed. We can, however, examine his life and public statements.

The Philanthropist was born Robert Edward Turner III on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family moved to Atlanta when he was nine, and he was raised Episcopalian.

Turner attended Brown University and was vice-president of the Brown Debating Union and captain of the sailing team. He became a member of Kappa Sigma. Turner initially majored in classics. His father wrote that this choice made him "appalled, even horrified", and that he "almost puked".[11] Turner later changed his major to economics, but before receiving a degree, he was expelled for having a female student in his dormitory room.[12] He was awarded an honorary B.A. from Brown University in November 1989 when he returned to campus to give the keynote address for the National Association of College Broadcasters' second annual conference. WIkepedia)

Ted Turner: Business mogul

Turner's father, Ed, struggled to succeed with his small billboard company but it was in vain. Robert II committed suicide in 1963, and Ted inherited the business, at 25, determined to make it a success.

Under his leadership, the company earned enough money for Turner to buy Atlanta-based UHF station Channel 17, in 1970. At that time the station was losing upward of $500,000 annually. TedTurner III turned things around and became one of the wealthiest men in the nation.

His efforts evolved into Turner Classic Movies and Turner Broadcasting System, two of the most popular cable network channels in the infancy days. Turner was also responsible for CNN (Cable News Network) and TNT (Turner Network Television).

Ted Turner was married three times and the relationships all ended in divorce. He had two children Laura Lee and Robert Edward IV; with his first wife Judy Nye. He has three Rhett, Beauregard and Jennie with his second wife Jane Smith.

Jane Fonda and Christianity

He married actress Jane Fonda from 1991 and they divorced 10 years later. Fonda said the marriage ended because her husband did not like her newfound Christiam faith. As a side note the former Mrs. Turner has said she follows the teaching of Jesus but does not believe He died for our sins.

Turner had a specific reason for being upset that his wife embraced the teachings of Christianity. The television mogul said he grew up as a born again Christian until God did not answer his constant prayers for his sister who died of lupus.

From questioning God to evolving faith

The man who founded the TBS (Turner Broadcasting Station ) and TCM (Turner Classic Movies) networks said he prayed 30 minutes a day for 3 years but his sister succumbed to the disease.

He questioned why God allowed his sister to suffer and at age 20, Ted Turner, became agnostic and later atheist. Some believed Fonda would lead him back to the faith of his childhood but instead the power couple divorced.

It was reported in 2017 that he said he no longer held these views and his faith was evolving. Turner did not elaborate on what that meant but his antagonism toward religion softened. He did say that he prayed for friends.