CNN’s billionaire founder Ted Turner, 79, reveals he is suffering from Lewy Body dementia

Billionaire CNN founder Ted Turner is suffering from dementia.

The 79-year-old has been diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia, he revealed in a new interview with CBS Sunday morning.

It is the same disease that affected the actor Robin Williams, before his suicide aged 63 in 2014. 

Diagnosis: CNN’s billionaire founder Ted Turner, 79, is suffering from Lewy Body dementia

In a clip from Sunday’s show, released Friday, Turner explained: ‘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. 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,’ he said, pausing before adding: ‘Dementia. I can’t remember what my disease is.’

LBD is caused by abnormal protein deposits that build up over time and disrupt normal brain function. 

Asked what his symptoms are, Turner told Koppel, ‘Tired. Exhausted. That’s the main symptoms, and forgetfulness.’ 

Turner, also a noted philanthropist, founded CNN in 1980 as the first 24 hour all-news cable network. He went on to become vice chairman of media conglomerate Time Warner but quit in 2003 and is no longer involved in running the company.

Lewy body dementia affects an estimated 1.4million Americans and symptoms can include problems with memory and changes in behavior, according to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

 

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