Tina Turner, one of rock’s most recognisable vocalists with anthems like Proud Mary and The Best, has died at the age of 83 following a protracted illness, according to her publicist.
Turner has been ill in recent years, having been diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016 and undergoing a kidney transplant in 2017.
“With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” her agents stated in a statement. “A private funeral service will be held for close friends and family.” Please respect her family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
The White House expressed sadness over the “massive loss” of the American-Swiss musician. “That is heartbreaking news. Tina Turner was a music icon, according to press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Turner’s official Instagram account praised the singer for her “boundless passion for life” and stated that she “inspired the stars of tomorrow.”
It tweeted a black-and-white photo of Turner with the remark, “It is with great sadness that we announce Tina Turner’s passing.”
“With her music and boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans worldwide and inspired tomorrow’s stars.”
“Today we say farewell to a dear friend who has left us her greatest work: her music.” Our deepest sympathies go out to her family. Tina, we will miss you very much.”
Turner, who was born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, has won eight competitive Grammy Awards in her 60-year career and has a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the St Louis Walk of Fame.
Her autobiography, I, Tina, was adapted into the 1993 film What’s Love Got To Do With It, which portrayed the mother-of-two’s famously tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner and earned Angela Bassett an Oscar nomination for her performance as Tina in the movie.
Turner, dubbed the “Queen of Rock and Roll,” married her long-term German beau, music businessman Erwin Bach, in a Swiss civil wedding in 2013 and has lived in Switzerland with him since 1994.
It was the singer’s second marriage; she had previously been married to musician Ike from 1962 to 1978.
In her 1986 memoir, the singer detailed a horrible story of abuse, including a fractured nose during her marriage to Ike.
