Tina Turner Was Actually Married Twice And Outlived Two Of Her Sons
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Content warning: Discussion of domestic/physical abuse.
Legendary singer Tina Turner died Wednesday after a long illness, her publicist announced, and her many fans around the world are still reeling from the news. Turner, who was 83, had an impressive 60-year career filled with dazzling dance moves, passionate love songs, and magical performances.
"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 Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model," her publicist, Bernard Doherty, said in a statement to People. Tina, who had massively popular singles like “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “The Best,” and “Private Dancer,” won eight Grammys and even made it into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.
With the sad news about Tina's passing, it’s understandable to have questions about her personal life, including whether she was married and if she had any kids. Here’s what you need to know.
Was Tina Turner married?
Yes. Tina was actually married twice. Her first husband, Ike Turner Sr., was her singing partner when she first launched her career. Tina and Ike got married in 1962 and divorced in 1978. Tina has spoken openly about the abuse she experienced during her relationship with her ex-husband.
In Tina Turner: My Love Story, she said that her relationship was “doomed” after Ike realized she could help him make money, per Today. “He needed to control me, economically, and psychologically, so I could never leave him,” she said.
The reports from her abusive marriage are really upsetting, with Tina claiming that Ike “threw hot coffee in my face, giving me third-degree burns. …He used my nose as a punching bag so many times that I could taste blood running down my throat when I sang. He broke my jaw. And I couldn’t remember what it was like not to have a black eye.”
Tina eventually left Ike and found love with former music executive Erwin Bach. The two dated for 27 years and were married for a decade up until her death, according to People. Erwin actually donated a kidney to his wife in 2016 when hers started to fail.
"He said he didn't want another woman, or another life. Then he shocked me. He said he wanted to give me one of his kidneys," Tina wrote in her autobiography, per SmoothRadio.
Did Tina Turner have any kids?
Yes. In fact, Tina had four! Her sons were named Craig, Ike Jr., Michael, and Ronnie. Only two of the boys, Craig and Ronnie, were her biological children.
Craig was her first son, born to Tina and Kings of Rhythm saxophonist Raymond Hill in August 1958, People says. He was later adopted by Ike Turner and changed his name to Craig Raymond Turner.
Tina adopted Ike Turner’s kids.
Tina adopted Ike's two sons, Ike Jr. and Michael, from his previous relationship with Lorraine Taylor, per People. She gave birth to the couple’s only biological child, Ronnie Turner, in October of 1960.
Ike Jr. is now a Grammy-winning musician in his own right and has said that Tina was the "only mother I've ever known," per the Daily Mail. (She adopted him at age two.) Currently, Ike plays with a tribute band called The Love Thang.
Michael has struggled with health issues in recent years, and in his Daily Mail interview, Ike Jr. explained that his brother "is in a convalescent home in Southern California and needs medical support... I've been to see him quite a few times. He's doing great."
Tina outlived her two biological children.
Sadly, Tina’s son Craig died by suicide in 2018. He was 59 at the time of his death and was working as a real estate agent in Los Angeles, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Craig previously served in the Navy and was in high school when his parents, Ike and Tina, finally divorced.
After his death, Tina wrote a goodbye to her firstborn on Twitter. "On Thursday, July 19 2018, I said my final goodbye to my son, Craig Raymond Turner, when I gathered with family and friends to scatter his ashes off the coast of California," she wrote, per People. "He was fifty-nine when he died so tragically, but he will always be my baby."
Her fourth child, Ronnie, died last year from complications related to colon cancer, according to NBC News. Tina posted about his death on Instagram, writing, “Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son.”
Despite her very difficult life, Tina gifted the world some truly beautiful, powerful music, and her legacy will not be forgotten any time soon.
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