Tina Turner Dead at 83: Full Recap
The legendary singer died at her home in Switzerland on Wednesday, May 24
By Zoey Lyttle
and
Maria Mercedes Lara
Updated on May 24, 2023 07:04PM EDT
Tina Turner, the iconic singer who was dubbed the "Queen of Rock'n Roll," died on Wednesday, May 24, at the age of 83. Her publicist Bernard Doherty confirmed to PEOPLE that she died in her home near Zurich, Switzerland.
"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," Doherty said in a statement. "There will be a private funeral ceremony attended by close friends and family. Please respect the privacy of her family at this difficult time."
As the front-woman for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, Turner's performance prowess made her and her then-husband Ike Turner one of the most electrifying acts of the 1960s, serving up high octane covers of "Proud Mary," "Come Together," and "I Want to Take You Higher." Turner eventually struck out on her own as a solo artist in the '70s and became a star in the MTV age with hits like "What's Love Got to Do with It," "The Best," and "Private Dancer."
We'll be documenting live updates as celebrity tributes flood in and the world remembers the legendary performer.
Cher Remembers Tina Turner
Cher joined MSNBC to speak about her relationship with the late Queen of Rock. The "Believe" singer revealed that she was previously aware of Turner's illness and made an effort to "put in the time" for their friendship in her final years.
"We were perfect friends for each other, truly," Cher added. "I swore like a sailor and she never did."
Bryan Adams Remembers Tina Turner
Bryan Adams, who toured with Turner several times and recorded the hit duet "It's Only Love" alongside the powerhouse musician, shared a photo of them together via Instagram. "RIP @tinaturner I'll be forever grateful for you bringing me on tour with you, going in the studio together and being your friend," he captioned the post. "Thank you for being the inspiration to millions of people around the world for speaking your truth and giving us the gift of your voice. My condolences to Erwin and Tina's family. It's Only Love...and that's all."
Magic Johnson Remembers Tina Turner
Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson shared a photo of himself with Turner and Elizabeth Taylor to Twitter and wrote, "Rest in peace to one of my favorite artists of all time, the legendary queen of rock n’ roll Tina Turner. I’ve seen her many many times and hands down, she gave one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. She always gave you your moneys worth."
Tina Turner's Daughter-in-Law Pays Tribute
Afida Turner, who's married to Tina's late son Ronnie, posted a photo to Instagram alongside the caption: "I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT YOU 5 MINUTES BEFORE WHEN I ARRIVED IN NICE. HOW MUCH SHE LOVE SOUTH FRANCE : REST IN PEACE MOTHER IN LAW."
Michelle Williams Remembers Tina Turner
Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child shared her thoughts in the comments underneath the Instagram post confirming news of Turner's death. "You’ve meant so much to us!!" Williams wrote. "Your courage, strength, resilience, and uniqueness have been some of the main ingredients of your blueprint!! Rest well!!!"
Rod Stewart Remembers Tina Turner
"I’m devastated, what a women!" said Stewart in an Instagram tribute. "A friend and mentor - ‘It takes two’ - but there was only one Tina Turner 💛
Bill Clinton Remembers Tina Turner
Bill Clinton tweeted a fond memory of Turner following the news of her death.
"I loved Tina Turner and will never forget meeting her when she came to Little Rock for a concert after releasing Private Dancer in 1984. We met again on her 67th birthday in St. Petersburg, where she and Elton John sang for a charity event," the former president shared. "She still had it--talent, style, energy, and authenticity--a priceless gift to music lovers everywhere. May she rest in peace."
Ringo Starr Remembers Tina Turner
The Beatles drummer shared his condolences on Twitter: "God bless Tina turner, peace and love to all her family," he wrote, signing off, "Ringo, peace and love."
Diana Ross Remembers Tina Turner
Diana Ross responded to the death of her friend on Twitter.
"Shocked. Saddened. Sending condolences to Tina Turner’s family and loved ones," she wrote.
Ann Wilson Remembers Tina Turner
“Miss Tina lived an amazing life, full of drama and pain and in later years anchored by Buddhism," said singer Ann Wilson in a statement. "She showed what courage was and danced through her life on those mighty legs as an inspiration to us all. Rock on Angel!!”
Angela Bassett Remembers Tina Turner
Angela Bassett is remembering Tina Turner's legacy.
The actress portrayed the rock 'n' roll icon in the 1993 film What's Love Got to Do with It opposite Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner. After news of Turner's death at 83 on Wednesday, Bassett wrote on Instagram, "How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world?"
"Her final words to me — for me — were, 'You never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.' I shall hold these words close to my heart for the rest of my days. I am honored to have known Tina Turner," she said.
Gayle King Remembers Tina Turner
"Who did not love TINA TURNER?!" King captioned an Instagram photo of her and the late star. "What a honor to get to know her, and love her up close. Simply the best is not cliche when talking about Tina... Time to grieve & celebrate her life...
Priscilla Presley Remembers Tina Turner
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Priscilla Presley shared Turner's meaning in her life and her late husband's.
"Tina Turner was one of Elvis’ favorite performers. When she took the stage, it was pure magic," she said. "I remember how she held an audience with an energy that was undeniably pure Tina! She has left a remarkable legacy and will be sorely missed by all.”
Dionne Warwick Pays Tribute to Tina Turner
"Another long time friend has made her transition. Not only will I miss that eternal ball of energy named Tina Turner, but the entire world will also find this void in their lives," Warwick said in a statement. "My condolences to her husband and other members of her family. Rest in Peace my friend!"
Roberta Flack Remembers Tina Turner
The singer reflected on her memories with Turner in response to the news of her death.
"We went to Ghana together in 1971 for the Soul to Soul Tour. Her meteoric energy on stage was in such contrast to her gentle, kind and quiet demeanor off stage," said Flack. "My friend, Tina, thank you for inspiring us to always be everything we were meant to be–regardless of life’s challenges. A woman without limits. You will always be my hero."
Mariah Carey Remembers Tina Turner
Mariah Carey posted a photo of Turner on Instagram to celebrate the late legend's life.
"The words legendary, iconic, diva, and superstar are often overused and yet Tina Turner embodies them all and so many more - an incredible performer, musician and trailblazer," Carey wrote. "To me, she will always be a survivor and an inspiration to women everywhere. Her music will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in Peace, Queen ❤️."
Inside Tina Turner's 37-Year Romance with Erwin Bach
Tina Turner found her king when she met her future second husband Erwin Bach at an airport nearly 40 years ago. The music legend opened up about her romance with Bach, now 67, in her 2021 HBO documentary Tina.
"He was [16 years] younger [than me]. He was 30 years old at the time and had the prettiest face. I mean, you cannot [describe] it. It was like insane. [I thought], 'Where did he come from?' He was really so good-looking. My heart [was beating fast] and it means that a soul has met, and my hands were shaking," Turner recalled in the film.
Inside Tina Turner's Health Struggles
Throughout her longstanding 60-year career, the Queen of Rock was often vocal about her health struggles, which date back to 1978 when she was diagnosed with hypertension.
She detailed the experience in an interview with the European Health Kidney Alliance explaining, "I can’t remember ever getting an explanation about what high blood pressure means or how it affects the body. I considered high blood pressure my normal. Hence, I didn’t really try to control it."
With her condition left untreated, Turner suffered a stroke in 2013 just three weeks after she wed her husband, Erwin Bach. Her health took a turn for the worse again in 2016 when she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer.
After experiencing unpleasant side effects from her initial treatment, Turner turned to homeopathic remedies, which only worsened her condition and led her to have total kidney failure. She received a largely successful kidney donation operation from Bach in April 2017, though Turner still experienced mild symptoms.
Martha Stewart Remembers Tina Turner
Martha Stewart is remembering the good times with Tina Turner, who died on May 24.
Following the news of Turner's death, Stewart shared a sweet shot of the two legends. In the picture, the musical icon and lifestyle expert are tucked under the covers and smiling widely, looking like close friends having a slumber party.
“We loved Tina Turner. Goddess, Performer, Wonder Woman ! We will miss her so much!!!!!!!!!” Stewart wrote in the caption.
Mick Jagger Remembers Tina Turner
Mick Jagger mourned the loss of his “wonderful friend” on Instagram, where he shared throwback photos of Turner and himself on stage.
“I’m so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner,” the Rolling Stones rocker captioned his post. “She was truly an enormously talented performer and singer. She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her.”
Ronnie Wood Remembers Tina Turner
Jagger’s bandmate Ronnie Wood also shared some words and snapshots in Turner’s honor.
“God bless you Tina, the Queen Of Rock And Soul and a dear friend to our family. Love and prayers to all of Tina’s family, friends and loved ones,” Wood wrote alongside a carousel of pictures with the late singer. Two of the photos saw Turner with Wood’s twin 6-year-old daughters, Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, during their toddler years.
Tina Turner's Manager, Roger Davies, Pays Tribute
Turner’s longtime manager, Roger Davies, paid tribute to the late Queen of Rock in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Tina was a unique and remarkable force of nature with her strength, incredible energy and immense talent,” the music producer said. “From the first day I met her in 1980 she believed in herself completely when few others did at that time.”
He continued: “It was a privilege and an honour to have been a close friend as well as her manager for more than 30 years. I will miss her deeply.”
Elton John Remembers Tina Turner
"We have lost one of the word’s most exciting and electric performers. A total legend on record and on stage," Elton John wrote on Instagram. "She was untouchable. Condolences to Erwin and her family. The saddest news."
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people who signed the letter in support of depardieu (an abuser):
Benoit Poelvoorde (actor), Nathalie Baye (actress), Carole Bouquet (actress), Jacques Dutronc (singer), Charlotte Rampling (actress), Yvan Attal (actor and director), Jacques Weber (actor), Bertrand Blier (director ), Emmanuelle Seigner (actress), Roberto Alagna (singer), Michel Fau (actor and director), Victoria Abril (actress), Dominique Besnehard (actor and producer) Carla Bruni (singer), Pierre Richard (actor), Clémentine Célarié (actress), Gérard Darmon (Actor), Rudy Ricciotti (architect), Christophe Barratier (director), Arielle Dombasle (singer), Francis Veber (director), Patrice Leconte (director), Brigitte Fossey (actress), Boualem Sansal ( writer), Charles Berling (actor), Yannis Ezziadi (actor and author) Philippe Caubère (actor), Vincent Perez (actor), Myriam Boyer (actress), Antoine Dulery (actor), Afida Turner (singer), Paolo Branco (producer ), Jean-Marie Rouart, of the French Academy (writer), Josée Dayan (director), Joel Seria (director), Bernard Murat (director), Serge Toubiana (film critic and former director of the Cinémathèque française) , Catherine Millet (writer), Jacques Henric (writer), Stéphanie Murat (director), Marie-France Brière (producer and director), Daniel Humair (musician and painter), Judith Magre (actress), David Bélugou (theater decorator) , Marie Beltrami (stylist), Tanya Lopert (actress), Jean-Claude Dreyfus (actor), Chiara Muti (actress), Jean-Marie Besset (playwright), Stéphane Druet (director), Christine Boisson (actress), Karine Silla-Perez (actress and director), Myriam Boisaubert (poet), Lilian Euzéby (painter), Marion Lahmer (actress).
Nadine Trintignant announced this December 29 in “Le Point” that she was withdrawig her signature from the platform.
"Hi ! About Depardieu and the letter: yes, a lot of people such as Nadine Tratignant and Carole Bouquet withdrawed their signature. Not because supporting the victims but because the author of the letter is far right (in french "d'extrême droite) and national journal say it. They still support Depardieu. For example, Carole Bouquet was a great supporter of Depardieu few days ago in a lot of radio/tv show."
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