Tina’s influence extended beyond the music world. She embodied the strength, resilience and unwavering spirit of a survivor.
On stage and in real life, Tina Turner and Ike Turner were a formidable duo. However, the singer never experienced marital bliss until she met her second partner, who was “so different” and gave her the “gift of life”.
The pair’s mutual interest went beyond just producing music. Despite the five-year age difference, Tina and Ika soon started dating. A boy younger than her was never going to stand in the way of their relationship with the optimistic powerhouse that fell in love with her.
A few years later, she and Ike traveled to Tijuana, Mexico to exchange wedding vows. It marked the beginning of another voyage for the famous couple.
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What many saw as a harmonious union of kindred minds turned out to be the worst for the queen of rock and roll. A few years after she and Ike broke up, Tina said their marriage was marred by verbal and physical abuse.
However, Bach did not fall in love right away. However, Bach recognized that the cornerstone of their relationship was mutual love and that it was also the reason why it flourished. He stated:
It is love. It is a common desire that we both share. I’ve always called it an electric charge. It’s still with me. I still feel that way even though I left her two hours ago. In my heart it is. It makes me feel really warm inside.
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In their beautifully decorated Swiss home, the couple married in 2013. In addition to their long-term partners, they were joined on the historic occasion by family and friends, including celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King.
As expected, Tina, the most stunning lady in the entire universe, was dressed to the nines in an opulent Giorgio Amani gown embellished with Swarovski crystals.
It was an ideal situation for Tina and she was amazed at his success. Commenting on the ceremony, the singer said: “I wanted to be the best I could be. My court and visitors deserved to be the best they could be. They were.”
She praised her husband for having confidence as well. The singer referred to him as “a force of nature in her own right, never the least bit intimidated by my career, my talent or my fame”.
Move to Switzerland
Tina, who stopped performing in 2009, was blown away by the peace and seclusion she experienced there. The singer claimed Switzerland as her home, even though she had some family there. She said: “I am quite happy and at home in Switzerland. In my opinion there is no better place to live.”
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The singer once spoke openly about the factors that influenced her decision to move. She claimed that her husband, who was previously her boyfriend, lived there and that Europe was more accepting of her music than the United States. I am as popular in Europe as Madonna, she claimed in an interview with Larry King. I’m as popular as the Rolling Stones in certain regions.
The famous artist, who now holds Swiss citizenship, renounced her US citizenship in 2013 by signing the Immigration and Naturalization Act.
Together, through thick and thin
One of the best couples in the business was Bach and Tina. After their marriage and throughout their partnership, they continued to support each other. In fact, the native German proved to be a devoted husband whose main concern was to protect his leading lady from as much danger as possible.
Because of Tina’s health problems, Bach was there. After being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016, she was given a choice between regular dialysis and a transplant. Tina stated in her autobiography:
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“Only a transplant would offer me a decent chance of a life that was close to normal. However, the likelihood of finding a kidney donor was slim.
Bach then did something amazing when he offered to donate one of his kidneys to her. He said he didn’t want another lady or another life, the “Proud Mary” singer said. Then he surprised me. He claimed he was willing to donate one of his kidneys to me.
Fortunately, the kidney transplant was a success, and she was grateful to her boyfriend for giving her the “gift of life,” which she said proves how genuine their love story appeared to others.
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Tina said she was “grateful, amazed and relieved that we made it out alive.” Sadly, the queen of rock and roll tragically lost her first child, Craig Turner, not long after this life-changing event.
She had a son named Craig from a previous relationship before she met Ike. But Ike took care of him. In 2018, he tragically committed suicide.
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The singer constantly remembered her baby and described the event as her “saddest” experience. Tina once posted a photo of Bach holding her as she mourned the deceased.
“My saddest moment as a mother,” she captioned the photo. As I gathered with family and friends to spread the ashes of my son Craig Raymond Turner off the coast of California on Thursday, July 19, 2018, I said my final goodbyes to him.
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He was 59 when he sadly passed away, but he will always be my baby.
Bach remained steadfast in his love for the singer through their most difficult times, refusing to let her troubles or fame stand in the way of their relationship.
Tina said in 2019 that through his letters, her longtime lover would serenade her with the best words. “Erwin and I have been together for over 30 years and he still writes me love letters—isn’t that romantic?” she captioned a picture of herself and Bach holding hands.
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Only death could separate Bach and Tina, proving that true love can exist outside of Hollywood blockbusters and romance books.
On May 24, 2023, Tina sadly passed away. She was 83 years old. She died quietly at home after a long illness, according to her spokesperson. Peace be with you, Tina.
Tina Turner’s extraordinary journey, both personal and professional, serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to find true happiness and fulfillment. Her love story with Erwin Bach is a testament to the healing power of love and the strength that can be found in a supportive and caring partnership.
As the world mourns the loss of an icon, Tina Turner’s music will continue to uplift and empower countless individuals, and her legacy will live on through her timeless contributions to the world of music and her enduring love story with Erwin Bach. She will be remembered as a pioneer, a survivor, and an inspiration to generations to come. Rest in peace Tina Turner and may your spirit continue to shine brightly through your incredible music and the love you shared with Erwin.