Honestly, if you’re looking for a name to put next to "Ted Turner’s wife" in 2026, you won’t find one. Not a current one, anyway. The man who basically invented 24-hour news and once owned the Atlanta Braves hasn’t walked down the aisle in over twenty years.
He’s single. Sorta.
It’s a bit of a head-scratcher for people who remember his high-profile marriage to Jane Fonda, which felt like the ultimate power-couple era of the 90s. But since their split in 2001, Turner has played by his own rules. He’s 87 now, and his life looks a lot different than the "Captain Outrageous" days of yacht racing and hostile business takeovers.
The Reality of Ted Turner’s Marriage History
To understand why there isn't a wife in the picture right now, you have to look at the track record. Ted has been married three times. First to Julia Gale Nye back in the early 60s, then to Jane Shirley Smith, and finally to Fonda.
When the Fonda marriage ended, it seemed to flip a switch in how he approached romance. He famously told Piers Morgan years ago that he had a rotation of four girlfriends. He literally called it "complicated" but insisted it was easier than being married.
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One of those women, novelist Elizabeth Dewberry, was frequently mentioned in the press after she left her husband for Turner. But even that wasn't a "happily ever after" in the traditional sense. Turner has been very open about his struggle with monogamy, once joking that at his age, it finally became easier to manage—mostly because he was just getting older.
Why He Never Remarried
Jane Fonda once said that Ted needs someone to be with him 24/7 but also needs to keep moving. She called it being "chased by demons." That’s a heavy way to put it, but it explains why a traditional marriage might not have fit his lifestyle in his later years.
You’ve also got to consider his health. Back in 2018, Turner went on CBS Sunday Morning and shared that he’s living with Lewy body dementia. It’s the same thing Robin Williams had. It’s a progressive, exhausting disease that messes with memory and movement.
Who Is by His Side Today?
If you see photos of Ted Turner today, he’s usually flanked by his family. In late 2024, when he celebrated his 86th birthday at the Atlanta History Center, he wasn't there with a wife or a "companion" in the romantic sense. He was beamed in via video, surrounded by his daughters, Laura Turner Seydel and Jennie Turner Garlington.
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His kids have really stepped up as the primary support system. They are the ones managing his legacy and making sure he's comfortable at his downtown Atlanta residence.
- The Family Unit: His five children are the core of his world now.
- The Care Team: Living with Lewy body dementia requires professional medical support around the clock.
- The Inner Circle: Former colleagues like Pat Mitchell and Terry McGuirk still check in, keeping the spirit of the old CNN days alive.
It’s interesting because people often confuse "Ted Turner" with other famous Teds. You might see headlines about a "Ted Turner and Majella" getting married, but that’s actually a musician from the band Wishbone Ash. Different Ted. Our Ted—the billionaire philanthropist—remains legally single.
The Legacy Over the Love Life
At this stage, the "wife" question usually takes a backseat to what he’s doing with his money. He’s part of The Giving Pledge, meaning he’s promised to give away the vast majority of his wealth. He’s already dumped billions into the United Nations and land conservation.
He owns more than two million acres of land. He’s basically the largest individual landowner in North America. When you have that much dirt and that many buffalo to worry about, maybe a fourth wife just felt like one project too many.
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What to Actually Take Away From This
If you were hoping for a secret wedding or a new socialite on his arm, it’s just not happening. Turner’s "now" is about peace, family, and managing a very difficult health diagnosis.
- Check the Facts: Don't get him confused with the British guitarist of the same name who married in 2014.
- Respect the Health Battle: Lewy body dementia is no joke. It changes the priority from "dating" to "functioning."
- Legacy Matters: His impact on the environment and global peace is what his team is focused on highlighting through recent documentaries like Call Me Ted.
The "Mouth of the South" is quieter these days, but he’s definitely not alone. He’s just finished with the marriage chapter of his life.
Next Steps for You
If you want to understand the man behind the headlines better, watch the Call Me Ted documentary series on Max. It gives the most current and honest look at his daily life and how he’s navigating his health challenges with his family. You can also follow the Turner Foundation’s updates to see how his environmental work is continuing even while he stays out of the public eye.