Ted Turner, the liberal billionaire who founded CNN, has died.

A news release from Turner Enterprises exclusivelyrevealedthat Turner passed away today at the age of 87.

Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, released the followingstatement:

Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement.

He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world.

In addition to founding CNN, Turner was a prominent philanthropist who once donated $1 billion to the United Nations. Turner alsogave$1.3 million to Democrats and Democratic causes over the course of his life.

Turner alsoowneda large ranching operation focused on ecological conservation and ran the largest private bison herd in the world.

Hemanagedroughly 2 million acres across eight states through Turner Enterprises, Inc.

Turner proved quite successful in the sports world as well.

Heownedthe Atlanta Braves for roughly 20 years, buying the team in January 1976 and giving up direct control in October 1996. The Braves won the World Series under Turner’s ownership in 1995, defeating the Cleveland Indians in six games.

Source: The Gateway Pundit