Media mogul Ted Turner | 60 Minutes Archive
In a Nutshell
Ted Turner, media pioneer who created CNN, won the America's Cup, and became America's largest individual landowner with 2 million acres, reflects on his resilient life marked by early adversity (father's suicide), business triumphs (Time Warner merger) and crashes (losing $7 billion in AOL Time Warner fallout), and three failed marriages including to Jane Fonda. Despite contemplating suicide amid personal and financial lows, he rebounded through therapy, philanthropy ($1 billion UN pledge, bison conservation via 50,000-head herd and Ted's Montana Grill), and restless global wandering at age 70. His mantra: press on without regret, as no fortune buys more time.
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Ted Turner is like Dracula. You have to drive a stake through his heart to stop him. Though many have come close, he's back. Though he's gone from being a really rich man to a mere billionaire, he's maintained the manic energy that drove him to change the landscape of the information age by creating CNN and 24-hour news. The uncompromising competitor who won the America's Cup. The ex-husband of Jane Fonda. The batty billionaire who challenged his archenemy, fellow billionaire Rupert Murdoch to a boxing match. Once described as both genius and jackass, he's now decided to reflect on a tumultuous life and more or less tell all in a memoir. Ted Turner is the largest individual landowner in the United States, owning 2 million acres across 12 states. Caught up with him at one of his Montana ranches. This lonesome cowboy who hates his own company.
You hate being alone. I don't like being alone. These are big places to be alone. I tell you, come out here and spend the night by yourself sometimes. You know the coyotes out there howling, it's pretty scary.
Out here at the Snow Crest Ranch, Ted Turner is not alone. He keeps company with bison, horses, and a stream full of Ruby River trout.
MAMA MIA, that's a real nice fish.
Life is good for Ted Turner. He's not your average old-age pensioner. This most restless of men jets round the world promoting good causes, dreaming up new business ventures, and dropping in on his dozens of properties scattered about the hemisphere. And now, as he turns 70, he's written his book. After his morning ride, the man who proudly says he never looks back decided to do just that to let Ted reflect on Ted.
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