By Alexander Stone
Tina Turner is one of the most iconic and influential singers of all time. She has sold over 200 million records worldwide, won 12 Grammy Awards, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is known for her powerful voice, energetic stage presence, and legendary hits such as What’s Love Got to Do with It, The Best, and Simply the Best.
But behind her success and fame, there is a story of struggle, pain, and resilience. Tina Turner’s life has been marked by abuse, betrayal, and loss, but also by courage, determination, and triumph. She has overcome many obstacles and challenges, and has become a role model and an inspiration for millions of people around the world.
In this article, we will explore Tina Turner’s biography, best photos, and abuse, and how she managed to rise above her difficulties and achieve her dreams.
Tina Turner’s Biography
Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee. She grew up in a poor and rural environment, and experienced the pain of being abandoned by her parents at a young age. She moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she discovered her passion for music and singing.
She met Ike Turner, a musician and bandleader, when she was 17, and joined his group, the Kings of Rhythm, as a vocalist. Ike gave her the stage name Tina Turner, and they formed a duo, Ike and Tina Turner, which became very successful in the 1960s and 1970s, with songs such as A Fool in Love, River Deep, Mountain High, and Proud Mary.
They married in 1962, but their relationship was abusive and violent. Ike controlled and manipulated Tina, and beat her frequently. Tina suffered physical and emotional injuries, and attempted suicide in 1968. She finally left Ike in 1976, after a brutal fight in a hotel room. She divorced him in 1978, and gave up all her rights to their music and assets, except for her stage name.
Tina Turner then embarked on a solo career, which was difficult and challenging at first. She had to rebuild her reputation and finances, and faced discrimination and skepticism from the music industry. She performed in small venues, such as hotels and casinos, and appeared on TV shows and commercials.
She made a comeback in the early 1980s, with the help of her manager and future husband, Erwin Bach. She released her fifth solo album, Private Dancer, in 1984, which was a huge success, and earned her four Grammy Awards. She became a global superstar, and toured extensively around the world. She also starred in movies, such as Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and wrote her autobiography, I, Tina, which was adapted into a film, What’s Love Got to Do with It, starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.
Tina Turner continued to release albums and perform live until the early 2000s, when she decided to retire from the music business. She married Erwin Bach in 2013, and moved to Switzerland, where she became a citizen. She also converted to Buddhism, and practiced meditation and chanting.
In 2018, she revealed that she had suffered a stroke, a kidney failure, and a cancer diagnosis, and that she had received a kidney transplant from her husband. She also faced the tragic death of her eldest son, Craig, who committed suicide in 2018.
In 2021, she released a documentary, Tina, which chronicled her life and career, and received a special Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement. She also published a book, Happiness Becomes You, which shared her insights and wisdom on how to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Tina Turner’s Best Photos
Tina Turner’s career has spanned over six decades, and she has been photographed by some of the most renowned and talented photographers in the world. Her photos capture her beauty, charisma, and style, as well as her evolution and transformation as an artist and a person.
Here are some of her best photos, from different stages and aspects of her life:
- A young Tina Turner in the 1950s, before she met Ike Turner, smiling and posing with a microphone6.
- Tina Turner performing with Ike Turner in the 1960s, wearing a sparkling dress and a wig, and showing her dynamic and passionate stage presence7.
- Tina Turner posing for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in 1986, wearing a leather jacket and a denim skirt, and looking confident and fierce.
- Tina Turner on stage in 1988, during her Break Every Rule World Tour, wearing a red and gold outfit, and displaying her trademark legs and hair.
- Tina Turner with her husband Erwin Bach in 2013, at their wedding in Switzerland, wearing a green and black dress, and looking radiant and happy.
- Tina Turner in 2019, at the premiere of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical in London, wearing a black sequined suit, and waving to her fans and admirers.
Tina Turner’s Abuse
Tina Turner’s abuse by her ex-husband Ike Turner is one of the most shocking and heartbreaking aspects of her life. She endured years of physical, emotional, and sexual violence, which left her scarred and traumatized. She also faced the stigma and the shame of being a victim of domestic abuse, and the fear and the risk of leaving her abuser.
Tina Turner first spoke out about her abuse in 1981, in an interview with People magazine, where she revealed the horrific details of her marriage to Ike Turner. She said that he beat her with his fists, his shoes, his coat hangers, and even threw hot coffee at her. She said that he forced her to have sex with him, and with other men and women, and that he made her watch a live sex show in a brothel on their wedding night. She said that he controlled every aspect of her life, and that he threatened to kill her if she ever left him.
Tina Turner’s abuse was also depicted in her autobiography, I, Tina, and in the film, What’s Love Got to Do with It, which earned her praise and admiration for her courage and honesty. She also became an advocate and a spokesperson for the issue of domestic violence, and supported various organizations and campaigns that aimed to raise awareness and help victims and survivors.
Tina Turner said that she was able to overcome her abuse by finding her inner strength and self-esteem, and by relying on her faith and spirituality. She said that she forgave Ike Turner, but that she never forgot what he did to her. She said that she hoped that her story would inspire and empower other women who were going through similar situations, and that they would know that they were not alone, and that they deserved better.
The Conclusion
Tina Turner is a remarkable and inspirational woman, who has overcome many challenges and difficulties in her life, and has achieved amazing success and happiness. She is a legend and an icon, who has influenced and inspired millions of people around the world with her music, her style, and her story.
She is the Queen of Rock and Roll, and she still rocks.