The 79-year-old largely retired businessman spoke with Ted Koppel for an interview with "CBS Sunday Morning" set to air in full Sept. 30. The network revealed his diagnosis on Friday to promote the story.
"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," Turner said from his 113,000-acre ranch near Bozeman, Montana. "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 wasn’t kidding. He eventually said, "Dementia. I can't remember what my disease is."
Turner then described the symptoms: "Tired. Exhausted. That's the main symptoms - and forgetfulness."
Lewy body dementia, according to a recent story on verywellhealth.com, affects about 1.3 million Americans. In comparison, about 5 million people have Alzheimer's. Those with Lewy body dementia are prone to hallucinations and have issues with balance that can lead to falls.
In the clip below, Turner also lightly criticized the network he founded, saying CNN seems to rely too much on politics.
"They'd do better to have – a more balanced agenda,” he said. “But that's, you know, just one person's opinion.”
The full interview will air on “CBS Sunday Morning” at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30.
Zell Miller, tThe late Georgia governor and senator, who passed away in March at age 86, was diagnosed in 2016 with Parkinson's with Lewy bodies as well.
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