Tina Turner, one of the most iconic and best-selling recording artists ever, has died at 83.
She passed away on Tuesday in her home near Zurich, Switzerland, after battling a long illness, stated her manager.
Turner, who became a Swiss citizen a decade ago, came a long way — literally and figuratively, from her humble beginnings as Anna Mae Bullock, born in a segregated Tennessee hospital.
She first started with the “Ike and Tina Turner Revue” as a side player to Ike, whom she married.
Known as the “Queen of Rock and Roll,” Turner won 12 Grammys and sold over 150 million records worldwide. She was voted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — with Ike in 1991 and on her own in 2021.
After touring for years with Ike, he would subject Turner to devastating physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Her mistreatment was chronicled in the 1986 memoir “I, Tina” and later in the stirring 1993 biopic “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” which starred Angela Bassett as Tina and Laurence Fishburne as Ike.
Turner would divorce Ike and leave with virtually nothing save her name.
However, she would emerge as a solo artist and ascend to pop stardom in her forties, possessing the staying power that many musicians would envy.
During this era, she would make memorable and anthemic songs such as “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “(Simply) The Best” and “Private Dancer.”
Predictably, news of Turner’s passing gripped everyone she has influenced, from close friends to distant strangers and admirers more familiar with her story than her music.
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. pic.twitter.com/VqlTjy1LUR
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 24, 2023
Heaven has gained an angel.
Rest in Paradise Tina Turner.
Thank you for the inspiration you gave us all. pic.twitter.com/JMxa9kBsmF— Ciara (@ciara) May 24, 2023
Beloved Grand and Glorious Ms. Tina Turner
Your pain became my power.
Your strength became my courage.
Your legs taught me to walk away.
Your voice gave me the words to speak my truth.
Thank you for every song you sang, every dance you danced, every prayer you prayer for yourself… pic.twitter.com/WUxJRsITS2— Iyanla Vanzant (@IyanlaVanzant) May 24, 2023
Tina Turner was iconic, talented, and fierce. What a journey. What a life, filled with great highs and great lows. She left an abusive marriage. She found love again. She made her way in this world, selling millions of albums. She became a mother, she experienced terrible… pic.twitter.com/Es5fKZMGZL
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) May 24, 2023