Tina Turner, the pioneering rock ’n roll icon who became a pop behemoth in the 1980s, has died aged 83 after a long illness.
She had suffered ill health in recent years, having been diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016 and having a kidney transplant in 2017.
Born Anna Mae Bullock in a farming community of Tennessee, US, and raised primarily in the church, Turner literally elbowed her way into rock ‘n roll and rose to fame in the 1960s. She adopted the stage name Tina, and added the surname of her abusive ex-husband, Ike Turner. When they finally divorced, she left the marriage with nothing but her marital surname, Turner. The move was to later turn her into a global musical icon, a role model and a symbol of power, tenacity and survival for women the world over.
In a statement on Wednesday night, her publicist Bernard Doherty said: “Tina Turner, the Queen of rock ’n roll, has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”
Turner affirmed and amplified black women’s formative stake in rock ’n roll, defining that era of music to the extent that Mick Jagger admitted to taking inspiration from her high-kicking, energetic live performances for his stage persona.
After two decades of working with her abusive ex-husband, she struck out alone and, following a few false starts, she became one of the defining pop icons of the 1980s with the album Private Dancer. Her life was chronicled in three memoirs, a biopic What’s love got to do with it, starring Angela Basset, a jukebox musical and, in 2021, the acclaimed documentary film dubbed Tina.
The rock ’n roll star met her second husband, Erwin Bach at an airport nearly 40 years ago.
When she turned 50, Bach proposed, but Tina declined, having sworn to never get married again following her harrowing years with Ike. However, she finally relented and, following their romantic encounter in 1985, Tina and Bach tied the knot in 2013, after 27 years together. The world watched as Tina became a gorgeous blushing bride at her wedding in Switzerland aged 73, with celebrities like Oprah Winfery among the esteemed guests.
With Bach, Turner found the stability that was missing from her abusive marriage to her first husband. Ike died in 2007 of a cocaine overdose.
Celebrities and fans the world over continue to pay tribute to the icon.
Superstar Beyoncé called her the epitome of passion and power, and was joined by Sir Mick Jagger and other stars in saluting Turner’s musical legacy.
The late performer was also lauded by Mariah Carey and Oprah Winfrey for overcoming years of domestic abuse.
The Obamas praised her for singing her truth through joy and pain.
They were joined by current US President Joe Biden, who noted that Turner had started life as a farmer’s daughter and saluted her once-in-a-generation talent.
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