Jane Shirley Smith is best known as the second wife of Ted Turner, the famous American media businessman and founder of CNN. Even though she was married to him for more than twenty years and had three children with him, she always lived a private life. She did not seek fame, give interviews, or appear often in public.
This article explains what is known about Jane Shirley Smith in a clear and simple way. Because she avoided public attention, much of her life is not fully documented. Still, the available information helps us understand her role in Ted Turner’s life and why she remains a quiet but important figure.
1. Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jane Shirley Smith |
| Known For | Second wife of Ted Turner |
| Marriage Period | Mid-1960s to 1988 |
| Children | Three |
| Public Activity | Very limited |
| Main Sources | Ted Turner biographies and family records |
Jane Shirley Smith did not build a public career or public image. Most information about her comes from records about Ted Turner rather than from her own statements.
2. Early Life
Very little is known about Jane Shirley Smith’s early life. There are no widely trusted records that show her exact birth date, place of birth, or family background.
What Is Known
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She lived a normal, private life before marriage.
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Some sources say she worked as a flight attendant.
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She had a job and independence before marrying Ted Turner.
What Is Not Known
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Her parents’ names
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Where she grew up
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Where she studied
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Her personal goals or hobbies
This lack of information shows that she did not live a public life and did not share personal details with the media.
3. Marriage to Ted Turner
Jane Shirley Smith married Ted Turner in the mid-1960s. At that time, Ted Turner was not yet famous. He was still building his business career.
Marriage Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Husband | Ted Turner |
| Marriage Date | June 2, 1964 or June 2, 1965 |
| Length of Marriage | About 22–23 years |
| Divorce Year | 1988 |
Different sources give different marriage dates, but all agree that the marriage lasted over two decades.
Important Points About the Marriage
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The marriage happened before Ted Turner became famous.
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Jane Shirley Smith supported him during his early career.
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As Turner’s work grew, his public life became very busy.
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Jane remained mostly in the background.
4. Children and Family Life
Jane Shirley Smith and Ted Turner had three children together. Family life was a major part of her role during the marriage.
Children
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Beau Turner | Son |
| Rhett Turner | Son |
| Jennie Turner | Daughter (sometimes called Jennifer) |
Family Life Facts
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The children were raised mostly out of the public eye.
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Jane Shirley Smith focused on family care and stability.
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The family avoided media attention as much as possible.
The children also grew up without heavy media exposure, which reflects Jane Shirley Smith’s private approach to life.
Read also: Debby Clarke Belichick
5. Life During the Marriage
Jane Shirley Smith lived very differently from her husband. Ted Turner became well known for his strong personality, business success, and public comments. Jane, however, stayed private.
Her Lifestyle
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Rarely appeared at public events
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Did not give interviews
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Did not use her marriage for fame
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Stayed away from the press
What Biographies Say
Some books about Ted Turner mention that the marriage became difficult later on. These stories usually focus on:
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Ted Turner’s long work hours
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His strong personality
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The pressure of fame
However:
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Jane Shirley Smith’s own thoughts are not recorded
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She never spoke publicly about the marriage
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Most information comes from outside views
6. Divorce
After more than twenty years together, Jane Shirley Smith and Ted Turner divorced in 1988.
Divorce Overview
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Divorce Year | 1988 |
| Public Comments by Jane | None |
| Media Coverage | Very little |
| Public Conflict | Not reported |
The divorce did not involve public drama or media statements from Jane Shirley Smith.
7. Life After Divorce
After the divorce, Jane Shirley Smith became even more private. There is very little public information about her life after 1988.
What Is Known
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She stayed out of the public eye
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She did not appear in news or media stories
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She did not write books or give interviews
What Is Not Known
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Whether she remarried
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Her later career or work
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Where she lived
Her silence after the divorce appears to be a personal choice, not an accident.
8. Public Recognition
Jane Shirley Smith is not widely known on her own. Most mentions of her appear in connection with Ted Turner.
Where She Is Mentioned
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Ted Turner biographies
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Business history books
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Family and genealogy records
Where She Is Not Mentioned
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News interviews
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Television programs
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Celebrity magazines
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Social media
9. Public vs Private Life Comparison
| Area | Ted Turner | Jane Shirley Smith |
|---|---|---|
| Media Attention | Very high | Very low |
| Interviews | Many | None known |
| Public Career | Yes | No |
| Privacy Level | Low | Very high |
This table shows how differently the two lived their lives, even while married.
10. Challenges in Writing About Her
Writing about Jane Shirley Smith is difficult because:
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There are few records
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Dates sometimes conflict
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She did not share her story publicly
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Information is mostly second-hand
This does not mean her life was unimportant. It simply means she chose privacy over public attention.
11. Why Jane Shirley Smith Is Notable
Jane Shirley Smith is notable for simple but meaningful reasons:
Key Reasons
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She was married to Ted Turner for over 20 years
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She is the mother of his three children
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She lived through his rise to success
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She stayed private in a very public world
Her life shows that not all important people seek fame.
12. Conclusion
Jane Shirley Smith lived a quiet and private life, even though she was married to one of the most famous media figures in the world. She did not try to gain attention or recognition. Instead, she focused on family and personal life.
Because of this, much of her story remains unknown. Still, her role during a key period of Ted Turner’s life makes her historically important. Jane Shirley Smith reminds us that not every meaningful life is lived in the spotlight.