CNN founder Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III (1938–) has never been known for his humility. The brash and flamboyant cable TV mogul celebrates his birthday today. Bold, outspoken, and often controversial, he pushed ideas as hard as he pushed himself.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Turner grew up in Atlanta. “Terrible Ted” disregarded rules and was eventually asked to leave Brown University. Yet his story is one of a brilliant, restless mind that reshaped how the world watches television. In 1980, his 24-hour news channel, CNN, revolutionized the industry and changed what “breaking news” could mean.

“This is America. We can do anything here,” he declared. Turner built a cable empire that included WTBS Superstation, CNN (Cable News Network), Headline News, and TNT (Turner Network Television). “Lead, follow, or get out of the way,” he liked to say.

Ever the sports enthusiast, Turner bought the Atlanta Braves in 1976 and, with WTBS broadcasts, helped transform them into “America’s Team.” A passionate sailor, he won the 1977 America’s Cup with his yacht Courageous. He also purchased the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, expanding his influence across the worlds of sports, media, and entertainment.

“You can never quit. Winners never quit, and quitters never win,” he said. In 1986, he purchased MGM for $1 billion and stirred controversy by colorizing classic black-and-white movies. Whatever he did, he did it with full-throttle energy and very little hesitation.

As one of the most influential philanthropists in the United States, Turner announced in 1997 that he would give $1 billion to the United Nations, at the time the single largest donation in philanthropic history. “What good is wealth sitting in the bank?” he asked. He told Larry King, “The more good I do, the more money has come in. You have to learn to give.”

Ted Turner remains outspoken and brilliantly original. Bold, restless, electric, and fiercely generous, he built empires, challenged conventions, and poured his fortune into a world he believed could be better.