Actress Jane Fonda posted a social media tribute to her former husband, media mogul Ted Turner, following his death in early May.
The tribute highlights the enduring relationship between the two public figures and acknowledges Turner's significant influence on the global media landscape and philanthropy.
Turner died at age 87 [1]. In her public statement, Fonda said the media pioneer was a "swashbuckling pirate" [2].
Fonda and Turner shared a marriage that ended years prior, but the actress maintained a positive view of their history. She said, "I always thought of Ted as my favorite ex‑husband" [3].
The tribute focused on Turner's legacy as a disruptor in the news and entertainment industries. His career was marked by the creation of CNN and the founding of Turner Classic Movies, a project that helped preserve cinematic history [4].
Fonda's comments come as the U.S. media community reflects on Turner's impact on the 24-hour news cycle. While their marriage was brief, the mutual respect expressed by Fonda underscores the personal side of the mogul's complex public persona [2, 4].
Turner's death marks the end of an era for cable television. His ability to scale media networks transformed how information is delivered globally, a legacy that Fonda sought to honor through her recent reflections [2].
“He was a swashbuckling pirate.”
The public reconciliation and tribute from Jane Fonda serve to humanize Ted Turner's legacy, shifting the narrative from his aggressive business tactics to his personal relationships and philanthropic spirit. By framing him as a 'pirate,' Fonda acknowledges his disruptive nature in the media industry while validating the lasting impact of his contributions to global communication.
