Tina Turner, the queen of rock ‘n’ roll, has died at the age of 83.
The legendary singer died today at her home in Küsnach near Zurich, Switzerland, after a long, unspecified illness.
Her representatives confirmed her death with the words: “With her, the world loses a music legend and role model.”
She leaves behind two of her four sons – two died before her – and her husband Erwin Bach.
Turner was born Anna-Mae Bullock in 1939 in Brownsville, Tennessee, to Zelma and Floyd Bullock. She overcame a turbulent childhood, partly raised by her grandmother, to become a musical sensation.
Tina Turner died at home today at the age of 83 after a long illness. It will be shown in 2019
An Icon: Shown in Berlin in 1979, Turner is known for hits like ‘Proud Mary’, ‘Simply The Best’ and ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’.
She rose to fame in her early 20s with the Ike and Tina Turner revue, a live act with her ex-husband. Behind her cloak of success and marital bliss, she endured brutal abuse throughout the marriage.
In 1976, with several Grammys under her belt and some of her most famous hits already under her belt, she ventured out on her own as a solo artist.
Their last concert took place in Sheffield in 2009 and was the culmination of their 50th anniversary tour.
In recent years she has been memorialized in London’s West End and across the United States with Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.
An accompanying statement on the singer’s social media page today read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner.”
“With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow.”
“Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who is leaving us her greatest work: her music.”
“All our heartfelt condolences go out to her family.’ Tina, we will miss you very much.’
Although the cause of death is not yet known, she spoke openly about her problems with kidney health. Her husband Erwin donated one of his kidneys to her in 2016.
He has yet to comment on her death.
Turner’s early childhood in Brownsville, a town in rural Tennessee, was humble. Her parents were partners in a volatile marriage that became so violent that her mother took her in with her grandmother when she was eleven.
At age 16, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she met Ike Turner.
Turner will be remembered as the queen of rock ‘n’ roll. She is pictured in 1996
Turner rose to fame as one half of a duo with Ike Turner. The couple married and had children, but separated in 1978 after what she called years of abuse
He invited her on stage to sing with his band and was so impressed he immediately offered her a permanent seat.
By the time she was 20, she and Ike were directing the Ike and Tina Turner revue.
Turner launched a solo career, broke up romantically and musically with Ike, and went into business for himself.
In 1969, a year after attempting suicide with 50 valium pills, she received her first solo Grammy for The Hunter.
Turner is survived by two adult sons and her husband Erwin Bach. The couple married in 2013 after years of friendship.
Two of her sons tragically died before her; In 2018, her son Craig, then 59, killed himself at home in Los Angeles.
Turner’s son, Ronnie, died in December last year at the age of 62 from complications from colon cancer.
Her marriage to Ike was also marked by physical and emotional abuse, which she has spoken about in interviews in recent years.
In what will probably be her last interview with The Guardian last month, when asked how she would like to be remembered, she replied: “As the queen of rock ‘n’ roll.”
“As a woman who showed other women that it’s okay to strive for success on your own terms.”
