John Lamparski/Getty Images
Tina Turner has passed away peacefully at the age of 83 in Switzerland, according to reports.
Turner reportedly died following an extended illness in her home near Zurich. The exact illness was not immediately specified.
The singer’s spokesperson shared the following statement with Sky News following reports of the news of her passing on Wednesday:
“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 Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” the statement read.
Additionally, a statement was shared via Turner’s official Instagram account Wednesday.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly. (© Peter Lindbergh)”
Turner began her career back in 1957 at the age of 17 with her first husband, Ike Turner, who was infamously abusive to the “Proud Mary” singer.
She eventually overcame the abuse and left Ike in 1976 before embarking on a highly-successful solo career.
Her 1964 record “Private Dancer” — backed by the wild success of the no. 1 single “What’s Love Got to Do With It” – ended up selling over 200 million units.
She would go on to release two studio albums in the 1990s that sold well, especially in her adopted home of Europe, Reuters reports.
Turner also recorded the theme song for the 1995 James Bond movie “GoldenEye.” She retired from show business after a successful world tour in 2008 and 2009.
She married German music executive Erwin Bach and ended up relinquishing her U.S. citizenship, becoming a citizen of Switzerland.
In 1991, Ike and Tina were inducted into the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.” The organization called them “one of the most formidable live acts in history.” Ike Turner would ultimately die in 2007.
Tina herself suffered several health issues and tragedies following her retirement.
Her oldest son, Craig, took his own life at 59 in Los Angeles in 2018.
Meanwhile, her son Ronnie died from stage-four colon cancer at the age of 62 back in December, as reported by The Shade Room.
She is survived by Bach and two sons of Ike’s that she previously adopted, according to Reuters.
