The music world was rocked earlier this week (May 24) with the news that Tina Turner had died at the age of 83. The news was shared by her spokesperson, with Tina passing away “peacefully” after a “long illness”.
Following the statement, tributes from fans poured in. Tina had suffered ill health in recent years. She was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016 and had a kidney transplant in 2017. Tina also had a stroke.
And, in one of her final posts on Instagram, she shared an insight into the “therapy” that she needed on a “daily” basis after believing her body was “indestructible” for “far too long”.
Now the singer’s cause of death has been confirmed by her representative.
Simply The Best: Tina Turner has died aged 83
According to the Daily Mail, Simply The Best singer Tina died of natural causes at her home in Switzerland.
The news followed a statement which announced her death. It read: “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.”
It also revealed that Tina will be laid to rest in a private funeral ceremony. “There will be a private funeral ceremony attended by close friends and family,” her publicist said. “Please respect the privacy of her family at this difficult time.”
Tina signed up for assisted suicide
Tina’s death came a few years after she revealed in her memoir that she was so ill with kidney failure that she signed up to Exit, an assisted suicide group.
The singer revealed she was so ill she was ready to end her own life, before husband Erwin Bach, 67, donated a kidney so she could have a transplant in 2017. However, despite the operation going ahead, Tina’s body started to reject the kidney, resulting in her continuing to take strong immunosuppressants.
The star spent months in and out of hospital and wrote: “The months after the transplantation were marked by a never ending up and down.” This is when Tina’s health started to take a turn for the worse and she never fully recovered.
“I kept feeling nauseous and dizzy, forgot things, and was scared a lot,” she said. Talking just weeks before her passing Tina said the problems were “still not quite resolved”.
I’m not gone lie, Tina turner passing touches my heart!
Ever since her biopic I felt I knew her. Such a strong woman with a story that taught & inspired so many♥️— J🫖🪄 (@ThegirlJT) May 24, 2023
Tributes pour in
Fans of the What’s Love Got To Do With It singer were heartbroken by her passing and took to Twitter to share their tributes.
One said: “Awful news about Tina Turner, she was an iconic performer and an incredible singer. I’ll always respect her strength and courage, she didn’t just piece herself back together after suffering horrifying domestic abuse but went on to build an illustrious career. What a woman.”
“Rest in Peace Tina Turner,” another said. “Rest in heaven Tina Turner. You left a beautiful legacy on earth. Thank you for sharing your talent with us & giving us timeless songs,” another added. Piers Morgan also tweeted about her death. RIP Tina Turner. Simply, the best.”
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Tina gave insight into her final days ahead of her death
Just two months before her death, Tina gave an insight into her daily medical needs. She said it came after believing that her body was “indestructible for far too long”.
Sharing a picture of herself to mark International World Kidney Day, she said: “My kidneys are victims of my not realising that my high blood pressure should have been treated with conventional medicine. I have put myself in great danger by refusing to face the reality that I need daily, lifelong therapy with medication. For far too long I believed that my body was an untouchable and indestructible bastion.”
In an interview just a month before she passed away, she also told the Guardian how she would like to be remembered. “As the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. As a woman who showed other women that it is okay to strive for success on their own terms.”
Tina was also asked about what scared her about getting older. “Nothing,” she replied. Tina then added: “This is life’s full adventure and I embrace and accept every day with what it brings.”
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