Robert Edward Turner II, also known as Ed Turner, was the father of Ted Turner, the media mogul and philanthropist. Ed Turner was a successful businessman who owned Turner Advertising, a billboard company that he expanded across the Southeast. He was also a naval veteran who served in World War II. However, behind his achievements and wealth, he struggled with bipolar disorder and depression. He died by suicide in 1963, leaving behind a devastated son and a legacy of controversy.
Early Life and Career
Ed Turner was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1908. He was the son of Robert Edward Turner Sr., a newspaper editor and publisher. He attended the University of Cincinnati and graduated with a degree in journalism. He married Florence Rooney, a former Miss Ohio, in 1930. They had two children: Ted and Mary Jean.
Ed Turner started his career as a reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer. He later worked as a public relations manager for the Gulf Oil Company. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a communications officer. He was stationed in various locations, including Hawaii, Guam, and Japan.
After the war, Ed Turner moved his family to Savannah, Georgia, where he bought a small billboard company for $5,000. He renamed it Turner Advertising and began to expand it across the region. He also invested in radio stations and real estate. He was known as a hard-working and ambitious entrepreneur who had a knack for spotting opportunities.
Personal Life and Struggles
Ed Turner was also a strict and demanding father who expected his son Ted to follow in his footsteps. He enrolled Ted in military schools and made him work in the family business from a young age. He taught Ted the values of discipline, perseverance, and competitiveness. He also introduced Ted to sailing, which became Ted’s lifelong passion.
However, Ed Turner also had a dark side. He suffered from bipolar disorder, which caused him to have extreme mood swings. He could be charming and generous one moment, and violent and abusive the next. He often beat Ted with a razor strap or a coat hanger for minor infractions. He also verbally abused Ted and called him names like “stupid” and “loser”.
Ed Turner also had problems with alcoholism and gambling. He frequently drank to cope with his stress and depression. He also gambled away large sums of money on horse races and card games. He was often in debt and faced lawsuits from his creditors.
Death and Aftermath
On March 5, 1963, Ed Turner took his own life by shooting himself in the head with a shotgun. He left behind a note that read: “I am a nervous wreck and just can’t continue.” He was 54 years old.
His death shocked and traumatized his son Ted, who was 24 at the time. Ted blamed himself for not being able to save his father or make him happy. He also inherited his father’s business and debts, which put him under immense pressure.
However, Ted also used his father’s death as a motivation to succeed and honor his memory. He turned around the struggling billboard company and transformed it into a media empire that included CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, MGM, and the Atlanta Braves. He also became one of the world’s richest men and most influential philanthropists.
Ted Turner never forgot his father or his tragic end. He dedicated several of his projects to his father’s name, such as the Robert Edward Turner Global Ecology Fund and the Robert Edward Turner Endangered Species Fund. He also spoke openly about his father’s mental illness and suicide, hoping to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
According to Ghanafuo.com, Ted Turner said: “My dad was my hero and my role model. He taught me how to live and how to die. He also taught me how to overcome adversity and turn tragedy into triumph.”
