Report: Ted Turner admitted to South American hospital for appendicitis

Greg Botelho, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 3:47 PM EST, Fri March 7, 2014
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III was born November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. Turner, the media mogul who founded CNN and Turner Broadcasting System, celebrated his 76th birthday in November.
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III was born November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. Turner, the media mogul who founded CNN and Turner Broadcasting System, celebrated his 76th birthday in November.
Turner Family Collection
Turner, seen here with his father at approximately 2 years old, was born to Florence and Robert Edward "Ed" Turner II. Turner's father ran a billboard advertising business.
Turner, seen here with his father at approximately 2 years old, was born to Florence and Robert Edward "Ed" Turner II. Turner's father ran a billboard advertising business.
Turner Family Collection
Turner spent time in the U.S. Coast Guard after he left Brown University. He attended the school, in Providence, Rhode Island, from 1957-1960.
Turner spent time in the U.S. Coast Guard after he left Brown University. He attended the school, in Providence, Rhode Island, from 1957-1960.
Turner Family Collection
Turner married Judy Nye in 1960. The two had two children together -- Laura and Robert Edward IV -- before divorcing a few years later.
Turner married Judy Nye in 1960. The two had two children together -- Laura and Robert Edward IV -- before divorcing a few years later.
Turner Family Collection
Turner with his father, Ed, on his wedding day. Ed Turner committed suicide three years later, in March 1963.
Turner with his father, Ed, on his wedding day. Ed Turner committed suicide three years later, in March 1963.
Turner Family Collection
After his father's suicide, Turner took over the family business, Turner Advertising Co.
After his father's suicide, Turner took over the family business, Turner Advertising Co.
Turner Family Collection
Turner remarried in 1964, to Jane "Janie" Smith. The two had three children together -- Beau, Rhett and Jennie -- and were married for more than 20 years.
Turner remarried in 1964, to Jane "Janie" Smith. The two had three children together -- Beau, Rhett and Jennie -- and were married for more than 20 years.
Turner Family Collection
Turner's five children when they were young: From left, Rhett, Beau, Jennie, Laura and Teddy.
Turner's five children when they were young: From left, Rhett, Beau, Jennie, Laura and Teddy.
Turner Family Collection
Turner won the America's Cup, a prestigious sailing competition, in 1977. His racing yacht was named "Courageous," emblazoned on his sweater.
Turner won the America's Cup, a prestigious sailing competition, in 1977. His racing yacht was named "Courageous," emblazoned on his sweater.
TBS
Turner bows after winning the 1977 America's Cup.
Turner bows after winning the 1977 America's Cup.
TBS
Turner at an America's Cup news conference.
Turner at an America's Cup news conference.
Courtesy Dan Nerney
Turner stands next to Atlanta Hawks star Tom McMillen before an NBA game at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta in March 1982. Turner bought the Hawks in the same year he won the America's Cup. It became his second professional sports team; in 1976, he had purchased the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
Turner stands next to Atlanta Hawks star Tom McMillen before an NBA game at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta in March 1982. Turner bought the Hawks in the same year he won the America's Cup. It became his second professional sports team; in 1976, he had purchased the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
Ronald C. Modra/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
On June 1, 1980, Turner launched CNN, the first 24-hour, all-news cable network.
On June 1, 1980, Turner launched CNN, the first 24-hour, all-news cable network.
CNN
Turner, right, talks on the set of an early CNN broadcast.
Turner, right, talks on the set of an early CNN broadcast.
TBS
Turner at his desk in 1985.
Turner at his desk in 1985.
TBS
Turner created the Goodwill Games, an international sports competition similar to the Olympics, in 1986. The first games took place in Moscow. After that, the event was held every few years until ending in 2001.
Turner created the Goodwill Games, an international sports competition similar to the Olympics, in 1986. The first games took place in Moscow. After that, the event was held every few years until ending in 2001.
TBS
In 1987, Turner acquired all television rights to the classic film "Gone With the Wind."
In 1987, Turner acquired all television rights to the classic film "Gone With the Wind."
TBS
Turner talks with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1989.
Turner talks with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1989.
TBS
A few years after divorcing his second wife, Turner married actress Jane Fonda in 1991.
A few years after divorcing his second wife, Turner married actress Jane Fonda in 1991.
Courtesy Turner Family Collection
Turner and Fonda take in a Braves game.
Turner and Fonda take in a Braves game.
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Turner was named Time magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1991.
Turner was named Time magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1991.
From Time Magazine
With help from Fred Flintstone and Yogi Bear, Turner launches the Cartoon Network on October 1, 1992.
With help from Fred Flintstone and Yogi Bear, Turner launches the Cartoon Network on October 1, 1992.
TBS
Turner talks to a reporter after the Braves won the World Series in 1995.
Turner talks to a reporter after the Braves won the World Series in 1995.
Courtesy Sports Illustrated
Turner hoists the Commissioner's Trophy after the Braves' triumph.
Turner hoists the Commissioner's Trophy after the Braves' triumph.
Getty Images
In 1996, Turner sold his company to Time Warner for $7.34 billion. He became vice chairman after the merger.
In 1996, Turner sold his company to Time Warner for $7.34 billion. He became vice chairman after the merger.
TBS
Turner gave the U.S. government $31 million to pay off a debt to the United Nations in 2001. Years earlier, Turner had donated $1 billion to the United Nations.
Turner gave the U.S. government $31 million to pay off a debt to the United Nations in 2001. Years earlier, Turner had donated $1 billion to the United Nations.
United Nations Foundation
Turner speaks at United Nations headquarters in December 2002. One month later, he resigned as vice chairman from AOL Time Warner Inc.
Turner speaks at United Nations headquarters in December 2002. One month later, he resigned as vice chairman from AOL Time Warner Inc.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Turner waits for his cameo in the 2003 film "Gods and Generals." He also financed the film, which was set during the Civil War.
Turner waits for his cameo in the 2003 film "Gods and Generals." He also financed the film, which was set during the Civil War.
Jean-Louis Atlan/Paris Match via Getty Images
Turner walks the runway during the Dressed to Kilt charity event in 2005.
Turner walks the runway during the Dressed to Kilt charity event in 2005.
Stephen Lovekin/WireImage/Getty Images
Turner in his Atlanta office in 2007.
Turner in his Atlanta office in 2007.
Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc.
Turner tours Atlanta's CNN Center in 2010.
Turner tours Atlanta's CNN Center in 2010.
Jeremy Freeman
Turner at his Flying D ranch in Montana in 2011.
Turner at his Flying D ranch in Montana in 2011.
Elena Cizmaric
Turner was honored in Atlanta on July 21 for his contributions to the city and the world of news. A few blocks from CNN Center, Spring Street was renamed Ted Turner Drive.
Turner was honored in Atlanta on July 21 for his contributions to the city and the world of news. A few blocks from CNN Center, Spring Street was renamed Ted Turner Drive.
Edward M. Pio Roda/CNN
Ted Turner, a life in photos

Story highlights

Spokesman: Ted Turner is admitted to a hospital while in South America

Argentinian state news: He went to a clinic in Bariloche

Doctors determined that Turner had appendicitis, this state news report says

He was flown to Buenos Aires for surgery, according to Telam report

CNN  — 

CNN and Turner Broadcasting System founder Ted Turner was admitted to a hospital while traveling in South America, his spokesman said Friday.

The spokesman, Phillip Evans, did not indicate where specifically Turner was treated or for what ailment, saying “it is our policy not to comment on his personal health.” Evans said that Turner was hospitalized “for observation.”

Argentina’s state-run Telam news agency, reported that the 75-year-old was initially treated in Bariloche, a lakeside city near the Chilean border, about 1,500 kilometers (940 miles) southwest of Buenos Aires.

Turner arrived at a clinic there around 4 a.m. (2 a.m. ET) suffering from acute abdominal pain, according to clinic spokeswoman Paula Redondo. She told Telam that Turner was with a personal nurse and assistant.

Doctors diagnosed the media magnate and philanthropist with appendicitis and recommended that he undergo surgery. Turner was flown later that morning to the capital of Buenos Aires to have the operation, according to Telam.

Soon after graduating from Brown University and serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Turner took over the family business – Turner Advertising – in 1963. Seven years later, he bought TV stations in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta to kickstart a media empire that would one day include TBS, TNT, HLN, Cartoon Network, TCM and CNN, which launched in 1980.

In 1996, Turner sold Turner Broadcasting to Time Warner, though he remained active in the business for several more years.

Besides his business ventures – including the Ted’s Montana Grill chain and the renewable energy company RT Solar – Turner has been one of the United States most generous philanthropists, including a $1 billion donation to the United Nations in 1997.

CNN’s Robert Lenz contributed to this report.