Tina Turner: Why the Queen of Rock Left Her U.S. Citizenship Behind for a New Life in Switzerland
Legendary singer Tina Turner, known worldwide as the “Queen of Rock & Roll,” made headlines in 2013 with a life-changing decision: she officially renounced her U.S. citizenship and became a Swiss citizen, leaving many fans stunned and curious.
Turner, who had lived in Switzerland since the mid-1990s, took the oath of Swiss citizenship after nearly two decades of residing in the country with her longtime partner Erwin Bach, a German music executive. The couple, who married in 2013 after nearly 27 years together, made their home in Küsnacht near Lake Zurich—a quiet, scenic escape from the public eye.
For Turner, Switzerland offered more than just a picturesque setting. It became her sanctuary—a place where she felt respected, safe, and free. In her own words, Turner once said she felt “completely at home” there, and the Swiss way of life suited her need for peace and privacy after a tumultuous past filled with abusive relationships, health struggles, and personal tragedies.
Her renunciation of American citizenship wasn’t a political statement, but rather a symbolic turning point. It was a way to sever ties with the pain of her early life in the U.S., particularly her abusive marriage to Ike Turner, and embrace a new chapter rooted in healing and love.
While some American fans expressed surprise or even dismay, most ultimately respected her bold move. When Tina passed away in May 2023 at the age of 83, in her beloved Swiss villa, fans around the world remembered not only her powerhouse voice—but also her courage to redefine life on her own terms.