Tina Turner’s Death: How Did She Die?

Tina Turner, who’s dubbed the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, died recently, and you might be wondering exactly what caused her death. Keep reading as we answer the question of how did Tina Turner die below! 

How Did Tina Turner Die?

September 3, 1984 – Tina Turner performs in Los Angeles, California. Image source: UCLA digital library, Photographer: Ian Dryden, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Turner died from natural causes after a long battle with an unspecified medical issue. This means that there was no foul play or other external factor that contributed to her demise. Further, while her passing was sad, it was not entirely unexpected to those around her. 

Did Tina Turner Talk About Her Health Before Her Death?

On March 9, Turner made an Instagram post where she talked about being in “grave danger” because of her failing kidneys. She mentioned how her kidneys were very damaged because of her mostly untreated high blood pressure of 40 years. 

Unknown – Kidney. Image source: Laboratoires Servier, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

She was often trying homeopathic medications and not traditional medications, which ended up causing more kidney damage in the long run. She said on Instagram she realized she should have listened and taken medication years ago but thought she was indestructible. 

How Old Was Tina Turner When She Died?

Tina was 83 years old when she died. 

When Did Tina Turner Die?

May 27, 2023 – A memorial was made following the death of Tina Turner at the Aldwych Theatre, London. Image source: Doyle of London, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Turner died on May 24, 2023, and was born on November 26, 1939, which means she was just around six months away from turning 84 at the time of her death. 

Where Did Tina Turner Die?

Turner died in Switzerland at her home where she had been living for almost 30 years. 

Where Is Tina Turner Buried? 

Tina was not buried but instead was cremated once the family had held their private funeral service to honor her. It’s not known whether her ashes were scattered or whether family members have possession of it. 

Was Tina Turner Married When She Died?

Tina Turner & Erwin Bach: An Inspiring Love Story (2023)

Turner was married at the time of her death and was married to her second husband, Erwin Bach, whom she married in 2013. 

What Health Issues Did Tina Turner Have?

Sadly, Turner had suffered from multiple health issues through the years, including a long-time battle with high blood pressure that she had been diagnosed with back in 1978. She did not wish to take a lot of the medications used to treat high blood pressure, so not treating it fully ended up causing other substantial health issues. 

In 2013, just three weeks after getting remarried to Bach, Turner suffered from a major stroke, which left her needing therapy to regain her ability to walk again. Three years later, she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer, and she had steadily been losing her kidney function. By 2017, she was in kidney failure, and Bach stepped up to donate a kidney to her, so she wouldn’t have to undergo dialysis. 

July 23, 2019 – Difference between a normal brain and a Dyslexia infected brain. Image source: http://www.scientificanimations.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On top of all of her physical health issues, she was also dyslexic and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner and the abuse she suffered during that relationship. 

Why Did Tina Turner Not Want To Take Blood Pressure Medicine?

When Turner was diagnosed with high blood pressure, she tried to take medication for it, but quickly stopped and really never went back to traditional pills for treatment. She said that the medicine made her feel worse, so she convinced herself that she would be better without the pills and even kept this philosophy after suffering a stroke and other health issues later in life due to her high blood pressure. 

August 16, 2019 – A woman with hypertension or high blood pressure getting her blood pressure checked. Image source: https://www.myupchar.com/en, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

However, this is a common feeling among people who take medicine for things such as high blood pressure. Your body is used to feeling high and out of whack, so when you begin medicine, such as high blood pressure medicine, you will feel weird because your body is trying to normalize itself, and when you are used to high blood pressure, the normal blood pressure is going to make you feel weird. She realized later in life that she messed up by not taking these medicines, but the damage had already been done. 

Did Tina Turner Have Children?

November 23, 1972 – Tina Turner and Ike Turner at the Music Hall in Hamburg, Germany. Image source: Heinrich Klaffs, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Turner did have two boys throughout her life, with one being the son of Raymond Hill, the Kings Of Rhythm saxophone player, and his name was Raymond Craig. She had another son two years later in 1960 with Ike named Ronnie Turner. Ike had two children already, and Turner adopted those two when they got married. 

Turner was only 18 at the time she had her first child, Craig, who sadly committed suicide by shooting himself in 2018 when he was 59 years old. Her other son Ronnie died in December 2022 after battling colon cancer, so both of her biological children died before she did. 

Did Celebrities Comment On Tina Turner’s Death?

October 22, 2010 – Former President Barack Obama at the Democratic Rally at USC’s Alumni Park. Image source: Neon Tommy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Turner was loved by multiple people all over the world including many celebrities, and a lot of them commented on her legacy after her death including celebrities such as:

  • Former President Barack Obama 
  • Former President Bill Clinton 
  • Mariah Carey 
  • Beyoncé
  • Keith Richards
  • Mick Jagger
  • Naomi Campbell
  • Rod Stewart
  • Madonna
  • Bryan Adams
  • Kid Cudi 
  • Gloria Gaynor
  • Diana Ross
  • Forest Whitaker
  • Oprah
  • Bette Midler
  • Elton John
  • Lionel Richie 
  • Debbie Harry 
  • Dolly Parton 
  • King Charles III
  • Angela Bassett

And many more! 

Did Tina Turner Try To Commit Suicide?

Unknown – Stilnoct/Stillnox. Image source: Entheta, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

There have been mental health issues plaguing Turner for years, including back in 1968 when she tried to commit suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills. This was when she was married to Ike, and she was not in a good place. Thankfully, she was able to get the help she needed before she was successful. 

Additionally, because of all of the health issues that she had, she joined an organization for assisted suicide in 2016 when she learned of her kidney failure and intestinal cancer. She was facing the prospect of dying and thought assisted suicide would be a good option. Her husband donated a kidney to her, which helped her avoid the painful daily struggles of dialysis. 

When Was Tina Turner’s Last Interview?

Turner had her last interview with The Guardian just a month before her death on April 9, 2023. Interestingly, her passing was brought up in the interview when they asked her how she’d like people to remember her. She answered that she wants to be remembered as a woman’s advocate and someone who could be a role model to women to always fight for what they want and be successful on their own. 

November 23, 1972 – Tina Turner at Musikhalle Hamburg. Image source: Heinrich Klaffs, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

She also went on to say after being asked whether she was scared about aging that she was one to embrace her life every day and just learn to live with what happens to you each day. She said that there were a lot of adventures in life, and she was not afraid of getting older. She did not seem scared of death or scared of growing old, and that interview is believed to be her last one before she died about six weeks later.  

What Are Tina Turner’s Biggest Hits?

Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It (Official Music Video)

Throughout her long career, she had multiple hits both with Ike and as a solo artist including the following songs: 

  • What’s Love Got To Do With It?
  • Private Dancer
  • I Don’t Wanna Fight
  • Better Be Good To Me
  • Show Some Respect
  • The Best
  • River Deep Mountain High 
  • Proud Mary 
  • Break Every Rule
  • Typical Male
  • We Don’t Need Another Hero

Recommended: The top Tina Turner songs

Was Tina Turner Still An American Citizen When She Died?

June 24, 2010 – The Civil Ensign of Switzerland using Pantone 485. Image source: Zscout370, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Turner was not an American citizen at the time of her death because she gave it up in 2013 to become a Swiss national soon after she and Bach got married. 

Who Will Inherit Tina Turner’s Money?

Tina Turner's Lifestyle 2024

Turner’s estate is worth about $250 million and her husband, Bach, is set to inherit about half of her fortune. The other half of her estate will most likely be split between the two children she adopted with Ike since both of her biological sons already passed away. 

What Was Tina Turner’s Deathbed Confession To Cher?

October 22, 2019 – Cher singing. Image source: Raph_PH, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cher released a statement on May 26, 2023, commenting on the death of Turner, and in her statement, she said that the late singer did share a deathbed confession with her. According to her, Turner had told her that she didn’t want to put up with everything she was going through anymore, and she said she was ready to go. However, it’s not known if this conversation really happened or when exactly it happened as Cher only said “near the end” of her life did she tell her that.

Recommended Next:

Tina Turner facts list

Leave a Comment