Icon Tina Turner Dead At 83

The iconic and legendary Tina Turner has died at the age of 83. 

"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 leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly." 

Her death comes just five months after her son Ronnie's death, who she shared with Ike Turner.

Ronnie passed on December 8th due to complication of metastatic colon carcinoma. He was 62 years old.

Tina remembered her son in a tribute posted not long after his death.

"Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son."

Tina was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26th, 1939, growing up in the small town of Nutbush, Tennessee.

She spent a lot of her childhood singing in the church choir, but home life wasn't that great due to her father's alleged abusive behaviour toward her mother.

When she was 11 years old, her mum left the family, relocating to St. Louis. Tina and her two sisters were then raised by their maternal grandparents and other relatives.

Her teenage years were split between Tennessee and Missouri. While in St Louis, her sisters and herself would spend time in local blues lounges, which included the Manhattan Club.

That is where she met future husband Ike and his band Kings of Rhythm in the late 1950s.

Her 2018 memoir 'My Love Story' she explained she wasn't physically attracted to Ike in the beginning, but he would "hit one note, and I thought, 'Jesus, listen to this guy play.'"

Ike was initially against Tina joining his band, but after hearing her perform 'You Know I Love You' by B.B King, he agreed.

Their relationship started professional, as Tina dated and welcomed first son Craig with saxophone player Raymond Hill in 1958. Craig passed in 2018. Ike and Tina then started their romance.

"My relationship with Ike was doomed the day he figured out I was going to be his money-maker. He needed to control me, economically and psychologically, so I could never leave him."

Tina gave birth to Ronnie in 1960 and married Ike two years later. She claims during their relationship, she was subjected to verbal and physical abuse behind closed doors.

On the stage they became a phenomenon with hits such as, 'A Fool in Love,' 'It's Going To Work Out Fine,' 'I Idolize You,' and 'I Can't Believe What You Say' during the 60s.

During their time as Ike and Tina, they grew to more fame with covers such as The Beatles' 'Come Together,' and Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Proud Mary.'

Tina became the 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll' shortly after.

In 1976, after years of torment and abuse, Tina left Ike.

A 1993 biopic 'What's Love Got To Do With It' shows Ike was asleep while the two were on tour, Tina snuck out the hotel room with a Mobil credit card and 36 cents in her pocket.

Days later she filed for divorce. It was legally finalised in 1978. Ike passed in 2007 at the age of 76.

Tina proved critics wrong after they thought this would be the end of her career.

"Considering my age, 39, my gender, my color, and the times we lived in, everything was strong winds against me. But you keep going."

Her 1984 solo album 'Private Dancer' saw the release of hits such as, 'Better Be Good To Me' and 'What's Love Got to Do with It,' which earned her four Grammys.

Her success continued from there with 'We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)' released for the 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome' soundtrack and the James Bond theme song in 1995's 'Golden Eye.'

During her career she has won three American Music Awards, 12 Grammys, and a Kennedy Center Honor.

She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, alongside Ike, and again in 2021, solo.

She found love with music exec Erwin Bach, meeting him in 1986.

They were married in July 2013 after dating for 27 years.

She will strongly missed by the world.