Tina Turner Passes Away: Journey Of Surviving Abusive Marriage To Becoming Musical Sensation

Rock'n'roll legend Tina Turner, a trailblazer who empowered Black women in music, has passed away at the age of 83. Turner, an iconic pop sensation of the 1980s, left behind a remarkable legacy that continues to inspire artists across generations. Her indomitable spirit and determination shattered barriers in the music industry.

Turner died Tuesday, after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, according to her manager. She battled intestinal cancer in 2016 and underwent a kidney transplant in 2017.

Mick Jagger, the frontman of the Rolling Stones, credited her high-energy live performances as the inspiration behind his own electrifying stage presence.

Tina Turner’s Journey:

Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee, Tina Turner rose from humble beginnings, picking cotton with her family, to joining Ike Turner's band in St. Louis. While their partnership was marked by success, it was overshadowed by Ike's abusive behaviour.

As she recounted her turbulent marriage in her memoir, “I, Tina,” Ike began hitting her not long after they met, in the mid-1950s and only grew more vicious. Provoked by anything and anyone, he would throw hot coffee in her face, choke her, or beat her until her eyes were swollen shut, then rape her. However, her immense talent and unwavering spirit propelled her toward a successful solo career. Overcoming initial obstacles, she became an influential figure in the pop scene of the 1980s, with her album "Private Dancer" achieving ground-breaking success. Her story was immortalised in memoirs, a biopic, a jukebox musical, and the acclaimed documentary Tina.

In 1976, Tina courageously left Ike, determined to break free from violence and infidelity. As a solo artist, she underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming a dominant pop icon. With her commanding stage presence, signature mullet hairstyle, and leather-clad persona, Turner reached a pivotal moment in her career with the release of Private Dancer in 1984.

Beyond music, Turner ventured into acting and authored a best-selling memoir, showcasing her versatility. Her rendition of the James Bond theme song Golden Eye in 1995 solidified her status as an extraordinary artist. Though officially retiring in 2000, she made a triumphant comeback in 2008 and achieved UK Top 40 hits in seven consecutive decades.

Survived by her second husband, German music executive Erwin Bach, Tina Turner's personal life was marked by the tragedy of losing her first child, Craig Raymond Turner, in 2018. Despite health challenges, she found happiness and fulfilment in her final years, bringing her vision to life. In recognition of her immense contributions, she was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2023, cementing her lasting impact on the industry she helped shape.

Photo credit: Hermann J. Knippertz / Associated Press

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