This renowned star was happily wedded and resided in Switzerland with her spouse. Nevertheless, not everyone approved of her choice to reside in Europe. In 2018, the vocalist’s son alleged that she had forsaken her children in the US to be with her younger husband.
This American-born Swiss vocalist and performer undeniably stood as one of the most accomplished singers of her era. With a career spanning over six decades in the entertainment sector, the luminary enthralled her admirers with her remarkable voice and captivating performances.
However, there was more to the vocalist than her status as a showbiz sensation. She was also a spouse and a mother to four children. Her firstborn, Craig, arrived in 1958 with saxophonist Raymond Hill.
The vocalist breathed her last on May 24, 2023, following a prolonged illness. She passed away at her abode, which she shared with her spouse, Erwin Bach, in Switzerland, where they had resided since 1994. She departed at the age of 83, and her spokesperson announced that she had passed away peacefully. The representative stated, “With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”
At the tender age of 18, she welcomed her first child. Despite their joy at becoming parents, their relationship eventually faltered.
In 1960, the vocalist found love anew with a late American musician and record producer. That same year, they welcomed their first child together, Ronnie.
Two years later, the former couple exchanged vows. Shortly thereafter, the vocalist adopted her husband’s two children, Ike Jr. and Michael, from his prior marriage to Lorraine Taylor, while the record producer adopted Craig.
Together, they formed a blissful family of six. Sadly, their happiness was short-lived, as their marriage dissolved in 1978, rendering the vocalist a single mother of four. In the ensuing years, the star of “Last Action Hero” would candidly discuss raising her children, particularly Ronnie.
During a 1989 TV Week Interview, she disclosed, “He gave me those children and not a penny to look after them with. I was left trying to take care of his kids and mine. As for the accusations about me being a bad mother to Ronnie, he was put through private schools and given allowances and everything you can give a kid.”
Further addressing Ronnie, the Grammy award-winning vocalist elucidated, “I keep an eye on him, and when he hits rock bottom, I chip in, but then I back off again. I’m not going to be a bank for a nearly 30-year-old man. I supported Ronnie well into his 20s, but they all recently got cut off. I’m still there for the boys, but I’m not going to let them use me.”
Over the years, the singer has been in the spotlight for various reasons, including her complex relationship with her children, particularly Ronnie. In April 2018, the singer’s name resurfaced in headlines after Ronnie made surprising revelations during an interview.
Ronnie claimed that his mother “raised me from the age of two. She’s the only mother I’ve ever known. But I haven’t talked to my mother since God knows when – probably around 2000. I don’t think any of my brothers have talked to her in a long time either.”
He further alleged that the singer had distanced herself from her children and was living elsewhere with her partner. Ronnie stated: “My mother is living her life – she has a new husband, and she’s in Europe. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with the past.”
Despite their mother’s absence, the singer’s other sons seem to be faring well. Ike Jr. disclosed that they receive financial support from a trust fund. He mentioned that Craig was involved in real estate, while Ronnie was happily married and in good health. Unfortunately, Michael required medical care and was residing in a convalescent home.
Ike Jr. also revealed that despite Michael’s condition, their mother never visited him but often sent money. Meanwhile, the singer resided contentedly in Switzerland with her second husband and music producer, Erwin Bach.
The remarkable singer in this narrative is Tina Turner. Her first spouse was Ike Turner. She and Erwin exchanged vows in 2013 at a registry office in Zurich after living together in Switzerland for over two decades.
Tina expressed that Switzerland had always been her dream destination, so when Erwin relocated there for work, she gladly followed. After many years in the country, Tina obtained Swiss citizenship in early 2013.
In September 2021, the couple expanded their property portfolio in Switzerland by purchasing ten waterfront estates for $76 million. They intended to use the vast property as a weekend retreat.
It was heartening to witness Tina enjoying a happy relationship with her husband, considering her past experience with abuse. The couple displayed their love on numerous occasions.
In April 2017, Erwin demonstrated his love for Tina by offering to donate one of his kidneys to her while she was recovering from intestinal cancer and a stroke. Both underwent surgery, and the operation was successful. Erwin took immunosuppressants to prevent Tina’s body from rejecting his kidney for several years.
In 2018, Tina faced one of her toughest moments when she lost her eldest son, Craig, to suicide. It was devastating for her, especially because she was unaware of what led him to take such a drastic step.
According to Tina, Craig had recently found a girlfriend and a job in real estate, leaving her puzzled about the reason behind his suicide. She believed loneliness played a significant role. Tina bid her final farewell to Craig on July 19, 2018, by scattering his ashes off the coast of California.
At that time, Tina still had two other children. Ronnie Turner, born in 1960, followed his parents into the entertainment industry. He sang with them and acted alongside his mother in the 1990s film “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” Tragically, Ronnie passed away in December 2022 due to complications from colon cancer.
Meanwhile, Ike Jr. is flourishing in his music career, having debuted his band, The Love Thang, and released several songs. Michael, on the other hand, lives a private life away from the limelight. Besides her children, Tina Turner cherished her role as a grandmother to two grandchildren, living a fulfilling life as a mother, wife, singer, and actress.