Ted Turner's Ex-Wives: From Jane Fonda to Julia Gale Nye

Ted Turner, the billionaire media mogul who founded CNN and helped reshape modern television, died Wednesday, at age 87.

Over decades, Turner built a vast empire that included cable networks such as TBS and TNT, while also leaving a lasting mark on professional sports through his ownership of the Atlanta Braves.

Known for his bold personality and willingness to take risks, he transformed both the way news is delivered-launching the first 24-hour cable news channel-and how sports teams could be marketed to a national audience. His larger-than-life persona, as well as his marriages to high-profile figures including actor Jane Fonda, cemented his place as one of the most recognizable media figures of his era.

He was married three times throughout his life-to Julia Gale Nye, Jane Shirley Smith and Jane Fonda-and had five children across those relationships.

Ted Turner’s First Wife, Julia Gale Nye

Turner married his first wife, Julia (Judy) Gale Nye, in 1960. The marriage lasted several years before ending in divorce in 1964. Together, they had two children.

Nye largely stayed out of the public spotlight, even as Turner's media career accelerated in the following decades. The relationship came during his early years in business, before he built the broadcasting empire that would later make him a household name.

Ted Turner’s Second Wife, Jane Shirley Smith

Turner married Jane Shirley Smith in 1965, beginning a relationship that would last more than two decades. The couple divorced in 1988 after roughly 20 years of marriage.

They had three children together. During this period, Turner was expanding his television holdings and taking increasingly high-profile risks across sports and media, including acquiring the Atlanta Braves and building out his cable networks.

Ted Turner and Jane Fonda: What We Know

Turner's most high-profile marriage was to actor and activist Jane Fonda, whom he married in 1991. The relationship drew widespread attention given their celebrity status and influence in different fields, with the pairing bringing together two of the most recognizable public figures of the era.

The couple remained married for about a decade before divorcing in 2001, and they did not have children together. Their relationship played out largely in the public eye during a period when Turner's media empire was expanding and Fonda was continuing her work in film and activism, keeping both figures firmly in the spotlight.

Their marriage also reflected a broader mix of personalities and priorities that defined both of their careers. Turner, known for his outspoken and often unpredictable style, contrasted with Fonda's evolving focus on activism and spirituality, dynamics that were often noted in coverage of their relationship.

Even after their divorce, the relationship remained a defining part of Turner's personal life. He later spoke publicly about the significance of the marriage, describing Fonda as one of the most important relationships he had-underscoring how closely his personal life and public profile were intertwined during that period.

Does Ted Turner Have Kids?

Yes, Turner had five children across his first two marriages. His children include Laura Turner Seydel, Robert Edward Turner IV, Rhett Turner, Beauregard Turner and Jennie Turner.

They have largely pursued their own careers in fields such as business, media and philanthropy, while maintaining relatively private lives compared to their father's public persona.

What Was Ted Turner’s Significance?

Turner's legacy lies in how he reshaped both media and sports. He founded CNN in 1980, pioneering the 24-hour news model that transformed how audiences consume information. His development of the TBS "superstation" concept also helped create a new model for national television distribution.

Beyond broadcasting, Turner reimagined sports marketing by turning the Atlanta Braves into a national brand and expanding the team's reach across the country.

He was also a major philanthropist and environmental advocate, committing vast resources to conservation and global initiatives. Taken together, his influence stretched across industries-making him one of the most consequential figures in late 20th-century media.

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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 8:03 AM.