Explore the Majestic Residences and Ranches of a Media Mogul
Ted Turner's Enduring Legacy as a Land Steward
Ted Turner, the esteemed founder of CNN, once famously declared the entire planet his home. At over 80 years old, he maintains his status as one of America's foremost landowners, commanding a vast estate of approximately 2 million acres. These holdings are primarily comprised of 13 expansive ranches, which collectively house the country's largest privately managed bison herd, numbering over 45,000.
Life in Montana Amidst Health Challenges
Despite being diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia in 2018, Turner continues to reside on one of his Montana ranches, where he finds solace in fishing and immersing himself in the natural environment. His chief communications officer, Phillip Evans, affirmed in early 2025 that Turner remains remarkably resilient and actively involved in both his professional endeavors and personal pursuits, embracing life despite health obstacles.
A Journey Through Turner's Carolina Estates
In 1978, the media magnate began accumulating properties in South Carolina, acquiring Hope Plantation, a nearly 5,000-acre estate with roots dating back to 1799. The following year, he expanded his footprint with the purchase of St. Phillips Island, a 4,600-acre undeveloped barrier island. By 1982, Kinloch Plantation, a 5,800-acre hunting preserve featuring a 1920s 15-room lodge, was added to his portfolio, later transferred to his then-wife, Jane Smith Turner. These properties were eventually sold, with Hope Plantation fetching $15 million in 2014 and St. Phillips Island acquired by the state of South Carolina for $4.9 million in 2017.
Avalon: A Florida Sanctuary Inspired by Legend
In 1985, Turner established his Florida retreat, naming it Avalon after the mythical island. Originally 8,000 acres, the estate grew to 33,000 acres, reflecting Turner's belief that land is the only lasting asset. The centerpiece of Avalon is a 15,000-square-foot Colonial Revival main house, built in 1938, the same year as Turner's birth. It was here, in 1991, that he married Jane Fonda. As of 2023, Turner continues to own this significant property.
The Montana Ranches: A Commitment to Conservation
Turner's foray into Montana began in 1987 with the acquisition of the 22,000-acre Bar None Ranch. He further expanded his holdings in 1989, purchasing the 113,000-acre Flying D Ranch, a property he explicitly sought to protect from development. His memoir, Call Me Ted, reveals his deep desire to conserve these lands for future generations. He later added Snowcrest Ranch, spanning over 13,000 acres. While Bar None has since been sold, Flying D and Snowcrest Ranch remain under his ownership, with one serving as his current residence, where he indulges in fishing and horseback riding.
Nebraska: Expanding the Bison Kingdom
Starting in the mid-1990s, Turner significantly expanded his landholdings in Nebraska, acquiring nearly half a million acres and becoming the state's largest landowner. His acquisition spree continued into recent years, with an additional 18,000 acres purchased between 2018 and 2020 for $13.5 million. He currently owns five ranches in Nebraska, primarily dedicated to bison management, though it remains unclear if any serve as his personal residence.
Vermejo Park Ranch: A New Mexico Jewel
In 1996, Turner acquired Vermejo Park Ranch in New Mexico, an enormous 591,000-acre property. This ranch, described by Turner as the largest contiguous private land in the U.S., features diverse landscapes, from vast prairies to majestic snow-capped mountains. The 25,000-square-foot main house, Casa Grande, once his private residence, is now available for guest stays, along with various cottages and lodges, offering a unique opportunity for others to experience the grandeur of his conserved land.
Armendaris Ranch and Ladder Ranch: New Mexico's Desert Havens
Turner also purchased Ladder Ranch and Armendaris Ranch in New Mexico during the 1990s. At Armendaris, he replaced a former cowboy bunkhouse with a four-bedroom hacienda-style home in 2006, offering breathtaking views of the Fra Cristobal Mountains. Both ranches, which once served as his private homes, are now accessible to visitors, providing opportunities for hunting, fishing, and bison ranching across his million-acre New Mexico estate.
Patagonia: A Southern Hemisphere Escape
Driven by his passion for fly-fishing, Turner invested in several properties in Argentina's Patagonia region during the late 1990s and early 2000s. These included La Primavera, a 9,000-acre ranch, and Collon Cura, a sprawling 93,000-acre property, along with a 24,000-acre ranch and fishing lodge in Tierra del Fuego. These retreats provided ideal locations for his winter fishing pursuits, though their current ownership status is not specified.
Nonami Plantation: A Return to Roots in Georgia
The media mogul also owns Nonami Plantation, an 8,800-acre estate near Albany, Georgia. Acquired in 2010, this property holds personal significance for Turner, who had enjoyed quail hunts there for three decades prior to its purchase. As of 2024, he continues to maintain Nonami, which features a stately horse barn, a main house, and thousands of acres rich with quail, embodying his enduring connection to the land.