Tina Turner’s Final Battle: When Her Own Body Became the Enemy
She broke free from Ike Turner’s abuse, rebuilt her life from scratch, and rose to become the undisputed Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. But in the final chapter of her life, Tina Turner faced a silent, devastating foe: her own body.
🩺 The Hidden Struggles
After retiring from music and settling in Switzerland with her second husband, Erwin Bach, Tina led a quiet life—but not a healthy one. In 2013, she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. Years of high blood pressure had also severely damaged her kidneys, leaving her with a grim choice.
💔 A Husband’s Extraordinary Gift
In 2017, Erwin Bach donated one of his kidneys to Tina. She called it “a gift of life” in her memoir, writing:
“I was preparing to say goodbye, and he gave me more time.”
Still, recovery was fraught with complications. Tina endured painful treatments and lifelong immunosuppressants. At one point, she considered assisted suicide, which is legal in Switzerland.
🧠 A Warrior’s Private Pain
In 2021, Tina said in a rare interview:
“I survived Ike, shame, fear… but my body, it just couldn’t go on.”
She kept a brave face for the public, but inside, she felt unrecognizable. The once-powerful voice and unbreakable body had turned fragile, leaving behind a woman fighting in silence.
🌹 Her Final Days
Tina passed away on May 24, 2023, at age 83. In her last months, she withdrew completely from public life, spending her final days with Erwin and her stepchildren.
Though she is gone, Tina Turner’s legacy remains one of resilience, transformation, and the triumph of spirit over circumstance.