The Fascinating Life Of Media Giant Ted Turner

He Inherited the Family Business After His Father Took His Own Life

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Just a few years after he was thrown out of school, Ted took over his family business, albeit under difficult circumstances. His father, who battled bipolar disorder, made a costly business deal. The threat of bankruptcy combined with a mental disorder was too much for Ed to handle.

Ed, 54, got drunk and took a handful of pills before shooting himself in 1963. Ted and his mother had to deal with the aftermath. Ted’s little sister, Mary Jean, died years prior from an immune system disease. To cope with his father’s death, Ted focused heavily on rebuilding the company.

Ted would later deal with mental health issues of his own.