Gerald M. Levin, a prominent media executive and former chief executive of Time Warner, passed away at the age of 84. He was known for his role in orchestrating the ill-fated merger between Time Warner and America Online, which was widely regarded as one of the most disastrous corporate unions in American history.

The merger, announced in January 2000, brought together Time Warner, the world’s largest media company, and America Online, the leading internet company at the time, with a combined market value of approximately $342 billion, equivalent to about $625 billion today. The creation of AOL Time Warner was initially celebrated as a pivotal moment, symbolizing the convergence of traditional and digital media. However, it ultimately became emblematic of the excesses and failures of the dot-com bubble and the pursuit of so-called synergy.

Following the merger, Richard Parsons took over as CEO of AOL Time Warner in 2002. Reflecting on Mr. Levin’s legacy, Parsons described him as a visionary with a keen understanding of the evolving digital landscape in the media and entertainment industry.

Mr. Levin’s passing marks the end of an era for the media world, and his role in the controversial merger will continue to be remembered as a cautionary tale in the annals of corporate history.