Ted Turner, media mogul who owned SC barrier island, dies at 87
CNN founder Ted Turner, a billionaire and philanthropist known locally for his former ownership and conservation of a South Carolina barrier island, has died at 87.
Turner died Wednesday surrounded by his family on Wednesday, CNN reported. The Ohio-born businessman acquired radio stations, sports teams and a struggling Atlanta television station before founding CNN in 1980. Known as “The Mouth of the South” for his outspoken nature, Turner is credited with pioneering the 24-hour news cycle. He was also a fierce activist and conservationist, fighting for the elimination of nuclear weapons and the reintroduction of bison to the American west.
Turner’s environmentalist streak prompted him to place St. Phillip’s Island under a conservation easement after he purchased it in 1979. He used the 4,600-acre property as a private family retreat for about 40 years.
Turner sold St. Phillips Island to the state for $4.9 million in 2017, a steep discount compared to its initial $23 million listing price. The island is managed under Hunting Island State Park, the most-visited state park in South Carolina.
St. Philip’s Island was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1986 because of its important ecological features, including its vegetated beach dune ridges that the National Park Service says are unique to the entire Atlantic Coast. To this day, the only two structures on the island are a five-bedroom house and a small manager’s cottage. Today, up to ten adults can rent the Turner house for five nights for a starting price of $18,000.
The island remains relatively undeveloped today, save for two houses built decades ago by Turner.
“My family and I are thrilled that our beloved St. Phillips Island is now in the hands of the state of South Carolina,” Turner said in a 2017 news release when the island was sold. “After sharing many fond memories together on the island, my family and I now look forward to others being able to experience and appreciate the unique beauty and tranquility that St. Phillips has provided us for so many years.”
Just before his 80th birthday in 2018, Turner revealed he had Lewy body dementia, a progressive disease that leads to cognitive decline, visual hallucinations and movement issues similar to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, according to CNN.
This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 12:48 PM.
