(Photo by Les Zg from Wikimedia Commons)
Tina Turner died at age 83 at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday after suffering ill health in recent years.
Her death was confirmed on her verified Facebook account on Wednesday afternoon.
“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,” the statement read.
Born Anna Mae Bullock in 1939 in Nutbush, Tennessee, she sang as a child in her church’s choir and eventually met Ike Turner and began her singing career with him in his band. They performed together for 15 years as she suffered domestic abuse. They later divorced in 1976 and she began to reemerge as a solo superstar in the 80s.
She rebuilt her career and life after overcoming domestic abuse at the hands of her ex-husband. Her inspirational story has made her an icon in the gay community, inspiring countless queer fans.
At the first Gay Games in San Francisco in 1982, Turner performed at the opening ceremonies.
Throughout her career, Turner won a total of 12 Grammy Awards, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1986 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as a duo with Ike.
She was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016 and underwent a kidney transplant surgery in 2017.
Her catalog of songs have been lip-synced by drag queens worldwide and her likeness and dance moves imitated by many performers for decades.
