Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Henry Unger
Before there was a 24 / 7, all-news cable network and before giving away money became more common among top business execs, there was Ted Turner with a vision for both. On Tuesday, Turner’s commitment 15 years ago to give $1 billion to the United Nations will be commemorated at a special fundraising event in New York. He’s getting close, having donated $917 million so far.
The founder of Atlanta-based CNN and Turner Broadcasting, and former owner of the Atlanta Braves and Hawks, is the second largest landowner in the United States. Worth an estimated $2 billion, Turner, 73, is actively pursuing his environmental goals. He’s teamed with Atlanta-based Southern Co. on three solar projects in New Mexico and Nevada. And he’s partnered with a restaurant industry veteran to help save the American bison by creating a commercial demand through Ted’s Montana Grill.
Before there was a 24 / 7, all-news cable network and before giving away money became more common among top business execs, there was Ted Turner with a vision for both. On Tuesday, Turner’s commitment 15 years ago to give $1 billion to the United Nations will be commemorated at a special fundraising event in New York. He’s getting close, having donated $917 million so far.
The founder of Atlanta-based CNN and Turner Broadcasting, and former owner of the Atlanta Braves and Hawks, is the second largest landowner in the United States. Worth an estimated $2 billion, Turner, 73, is actively pursuing his environmental goals. He’s teamed with Atlanta-based Southern Co. on three solar projects in New Mexico and Nevada. And he’s partnered with a restaurant industry veteran to help save the American bison by creating a commercial demand through Ted’s Montana Grill.
Turner’s business career hasn’t been without mistakes — including a major one. He lost an estimated $7 billion of his personal wealth in the Time Warner-AOL merger. Turner carved out time for a short interview this week before flying from Atlanta to his Montana ranch.
