Ted Turner, billionaire founder of CNN, battling brain disease

FOX News ^ | 09/30/2018 | By Stephen Sorace

[Red Badger]

Ted Turner, the media mogul and cable news trailblazer, revealed in an interview set to air this weekend that he’s coping with a brain disease known as Lewy body dementia.

Turner, 79, opened up to “CBS Sunday Morning” at his 113,000-acre ranch near Bozeman, Mont., saying while his disease isn’t fatal like Alzheimer’s, it leaves him tired, exhausted and, most of all, forgetful.

“It’s a mild case of what people have as Alzheimer’s. It’s similar to that. But not nearly as bad. Alzheimer’s is fatal,” Turner told CBS. “Thank goodness I don’t have that. But, I also have got, let’s – the one that’s – I can’t remember the name of it.”

Turner continues after a pause: “Dementia. I can’t remember what my disease is.”

Lewy body dementia is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function, due to abnormal microscopic deposits that cause brain cell damage over time, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Mayo Clinic says that symptoms can include visual hallucinations, changes in alertness and attention, and Parkinson's disease-like symptoms such as rigid muscles, slow movement and tremors. Risk factors include being over 60, male, and having a family member with the disease, according to the clinic.

The late comic Robin Williams suffered from the disease.

[Red Badger]

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2013, file photo, media mogul Ted Turner talks with guests at the Captain Planet Foundation benefit gala in Atlanta. CNN founder Turner still occasionally watches the network he started nearly four decades ago, although he thinks it's a little heavy on politics. Turner said in an interview with "CBS Sunday Morning" that airs this weekend that he'd prefer his old network had a more balanced agenda, "but that's just one man's opinion." (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

[Red Badger]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewy_body_dementia

[jmacusa]

I will only say I hope God gives him a merciful, quick and painless death.

[MeganC]

“Ted Turner, the media mogul and cable news trailblazer, revealed in an interview set to air this weekend that he’s coping with a brain disease known as Lewy body dementia.”

Well, now he’s finally qualified to work on-air at CNN.

[Red Badger]

Jane Fonda ruined this man...............

[ClearCase_guy]

Turner continues after a pause: “Dementia. I can’t remember what my disease is.”

I don't like him, but I feel bad for him. But that right there is funny.

[shelterguy]

Do you typically wish death upon people with whom you disagree?

[treetopsandroofs]

“Well, now he’s finally qualified to work on-air at CNN.”

Robin Williams is slightly more qualified.

[mywholebodyisaweapon]

Sorry to hear this. I don’t agree with much of anything he says, but I wish him well.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Nah. He had issues long before he met Hanoi Jane.

Not gonna dump on an old man with failing health though.

[GOPJ]

You’re a good person... Turner was such an awful person but this disease is worse... no one deserves it. Even Turner.

[morphing libertarian]

let me know if this is too obvious........

He’s had brain disease since he married a traitor

[editor-surveyor]

.
You nailed it!
.

[treetopsandroofs]

“Do you typically wish death upon people with whom you disagree?”

I think the adverb and adjectives were more important, and in context, no.

[rktman]

If I recall correctly, he owns more land than any other individual in the country. I know he used to own a good chunk of land in New Mexico. Correct me as you see fit. Buehler? Buehler?

[bigbob]

It is sad to see anyone afflicted with a disease like this. Maybe we should use this as an opportunity to show that we are better than the gutter-trash Democrats.

[umgud]

Who gets his $billions?

[bigbob]

Turner has large ranch holdings in the Nebraska Sandhills too: https://www.tedturner.com/turner-ranches/turner-ranch-map/

[robowombat]

You are correct. Lewy Body is a dreadful affliction. Worse in a number of ways than Alzheimer's. It is what Robin Williams was diagnosed with. Would not wish it on anyone.

[miserare]

Believe me, it is as bad as Alzheimers. I have a good friend who has this awful thing. She needs to be watched constantly. Turner is lucky that he can afford the best care.