Ted Turner: I'm 'Almost To The Edge Of Poverty' (VIDEO)

Ted Turner said he has given so much of his money away that he is "almost to the edge of poverty."

Speaking on Wednesday's "Morning Joe," Turner said he has, at most, a few million dollars left (not exactly everyone's definition of poverty, but a far cry from his purported billionaire status.)

The media mogul, well known for his philanthropy (most notably his $1 billion pledge to the United Nations), said he "loved" giving money away "while [he] could do it."

Turner told the "Morning Joe" team that he just wants enough money to cover his funeral expenses when he dies, prompting a huge burst of laughter from Joe Scarborough.

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Comments

[gingershot]

06:39 PM on 12/30/2010

Ted Turner is too cool ...

[SeattlePepe]

03:50 PM on 12/17/2010

As the largest individual landowner in the United States (owns 2 million acres across 12 states and Argentina) guessing ole' Ted might not be telling the complete truth.

[Left of Right]

11:55 AM on 12/16/2010

Turner told the "Morning Joe" team that he just wants enough money to cover his funeral expenses when he dies, prompting a huge burst of laughter from Joe Scarborough......

What a jerk Joe was for the laugh. Turner's comment was not told in jest and it's very demeaning to treat it that way.

Ted Turner has been a great blessing to his country and still is. His legacy will remain.
(Just wish I'd known I could go to him for a hundred thousand though! :)

[Randolph Greer]

11:17 AM on 12/16/2010

For all those who made comments about Ted's land holdings . I'd be willing to bet that he gives it in trust to either the American people or the Native Americans in his will . So . don't expect him to sell it for profit to some corporation . I'm sure he doesn't even count it as being his . Merry Christmas Ted , and a Happy New Year .

[fairwayhill]

09:46 AM on 12/16/2010

Ted Turner is bigger than life.

[SeattlePepe]

03:51 PM on 12/17/2010

Well, he is the largest individual land owner in the US, so yeah, he's pretty large. Not one of, THE largest land owner. Somehow, guessing he isn't being totally forthcoming with Joe.

[yankeetwo]

03:25 AM on 12/16/2010

As billionaires go, Ted Turner is a GEM. I've always liked him. It is as if for him getting filthy rich was just a by-product of right living. CNN USED to be a socially responsible network, when Ted owned it, and TCM is a great little movie channel, and not particularly commercial. I know he has given a lot of money away over the years...

But is he really broke? What about his RANCH and LAND? Doesn't he still own something like a million acres? Isn't he still the largest landowner in the US? Doesn't he still have HERDS of buffalo? If he still owns those things, and I can hardly imagine he'd want to sell them, he's hardly broke (even at the several million dollar level).

[SeattlePepe]

03:52 PM on 12/17/2010

Largest individual landowner in the United States owns 2 million acres across 12 states and Argentina. Not one of the largest land owners, THE largest in the US. Poor Ted.

[yankeetwo]

01:01 PM on 12/19/2010

Right. I guessed about the amount of land he (once?) owned, because I didn't know the exact figure, my point being that unless he has sold that land, and given the proceeds away, he can hardly be "broke,'" even at the several million dollar level. I think perhaps he exaggerates his poverty. Modesty is not a bad character trait! That said, I have great appreciation for Ted Turner, as a man and as a philanthropist.

[Denni]

09:27 PM on 12/15/2010

Scarborough laughed at that? It figures.. the same guy who counts the top 5 percent wage earners as 'middle class'.

[DrumMajorforJustice]

06:18 PM on 12/15/2010

Poverty is a relative description of one's wealth. I can't criticize or second guess the description of Ted Turner's personal wealth by him or anyone else. Especially since he is a person who has done so much for others. Also, the spirit of Christmas engulfs my heart!

[The Rewd]

11:01 PM on 12/14/2010

When I see Ted flippin' burgers in the new Obamaconomy I'll believe him.

[k neutrinO]

11:11 AM on 12/15/2010

obamaconomy huh? how does it feel to be a pawn of the GOP propaganda machine? I guess the previous 8 years had no impact on where we are because you know, these things occur in 2 years or less everyone knows that. what ever did happen to that clinton surplus before 2 unnecessary wars and monstrous tax cuts the li9kes the nation has never seen?

naw, those couldnt have anything to do with it though because, you know, it just couldnt

[The Rewd]

05:23 PM on 12/15/2010

Obama, along with control of both sides of Congress, has had the keys to this car for two years. He owns this economy now, and thanks to onerous policy direction and mandates it's not getting anywhere any time soon.

We're still in the ditch, the Democrats keep spinning the wheels while Obama is standing to the side telling us how much the car sucks.

[Left of Right]

11:57 AM on 12/16/2010

Thanks for standing up! Fanned!

[cbates]

10:29 PM on 12/14/2010

MB is a joke. Why is she carrying the last name of her father?

[raphaelbonee]

05:29 PM on 12/14/2010

A desperate cry for Jane Fonda ... baby come back I'm broke. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYsKDaQIX54&feature=related

[madashellvoter]

03:18 PM on 12/14/2010

Poverty? Really? Campared to whom? Bill Gates, yes we all are. But, Ted you own more land in the United States then any other person. So no, your not near poverty!

[realpolitic]

03:00 PM on 12/14/2010

Turner may have just given the money away too fast.

[Mohanna]

01:54 PM on 12/14/2010

It's the old saying "F**K Em All except Six, And Hope They are Pallbearers".

[Delphine Barguirdjian]

01:39 PM on 12/14/2010

I happen to have dinner next to Ted Turner and his daughters (or other younger relatives/friends) a few weeks ago, and the Dom Perignon was-a-flowing. Just saying.

[FizzOut]

02:56 PM on 12/14/2010

and so?