• Tina Turner died at 83 in May 2023.
• Her daughter-in-law Afida revealed that Turner feared her son would turn out like her ex-husband
• Turner suffered many illnesses and the pain of tragically losing her two sons

Tina Turner died at 83 in May 2023 as the queen of Rock and Roll. The superstar did not have an easy upbringing nor come to her astonishing career, but she fought to make a name for herself.

Amid the recent announcement of Turner's death, her representatives told the media she died from natural causes. Still, it is known that the "Proud Mary" star suffered many illnesses, including a stroke, intestine cancer, kidney failure, and post-traumatic disorder.

The public has not heard from the singer's family since the announcement of the sad news. But, Turner's daughter-in-law, Afida, the wife to her late son Ronnie, opened up about the heartache that the family is experiencing, but also some of the pain that Turner carried to her death.

Afida expressed that despite knowing that Turner had been fighting multiple illnesses since 2017, she always showed resilience, and they thought she would keep her strength forever. But there are many fears and pain that Turner felt as a mother of four boys.

She had a son Craig from her relationship with former bandmate and saxophonist Raymond Hill, Ronnie with Ike Turner, and adopted two of his sons, Ike Turner Jr. and Michael.

The rock star's death also came at a time of grief for the surviving family. Turner's eldest son had just died six months before her death, which took a toll on the singer because it was the second time she had lost a child.

But Turner's biggest fear was that her son Ronnie would turn out like his father, Ike, and put his wife through the turmoil that her ex-husband put her through. But Ronnie and Afida loved each other till they were separated by death.

Why Was Tina Turner Afraid That Her Son Would Be Like Ike?

Turner endured years of abuse from ex-husband Ike. The two met in 1957, when Ike was a 20-something band leader, and Turner still went by her birth name Anna Mae Bullock.

When they met, the "Private Dancer" star was still 16 and was impressed by Ike's musical talents, who eventually added to the band as "Little Ann."

Ike and Tina Turner photographed with their children in 1960 | Source: Getty Images

Things between Ike and Turner remained platonic, and the singer had a romantic relationship with Hill, the saxophonist. They welcomed their son Craig, who arrived in 1958, right after the singer graduated from high school.

Turner did not see anything romantic forming between her and Ike because she did not find him attractive. But then Ike reorganized the band making him and Turner the band leaders and changing the band's name to Ike and Tina Turner Revue.

These changes came around in 1960, and the romance between the two had already started. That same year Ike and Turner welcomed their son Ronnie.

Ike and Tina Turner photographed in 1963 | Source: Getty Images

They spent most of their relationship not married until an abrupt wedding in 1962. In her 1986 memoir, "I, Tina," she confessed that she married him out of fear, she wrote.

"I knew that I didn't want to marry him, didn't want to be a part of his life, didn't want to be another of the 500 women he had around him by then," she wrote later. "But I was … well, I was scared."

Turner's life was filled with performances, a whirlwind of fame, and abuse for a decade. From the outside, everything looked perfect; she was a superstar loved for her strength and energy, but behind the scenes, she was an overworked mother of four trying to keep her husband's rage at bay.

ke and Tina Turner in Australia in 1963 | Source: Getty Images

But no matter how hard she tried, the abuse got worse. Ike broke Turner's jaw and her ribs, choked her, and sexually assaulted her. Turner felt stuck and attempted suicide in 1968 with an overdose of valium.

The "I Don’t Want to Lose You" Star started to plot her way out of her marriage around 1972. She started talking back at Ike, and at this time, she was running the household financially and physically.

Turner also found refuge in Buddhism and started chanting mantras continuously. With her mindset changing, her life also got easier, and she landed an acting role on Ann-Margret, which allowed her to get away from Turner and experience independence.

Ike and Tina Tuner in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1972 | Source: Getty Images

In 1976, Turner saw her way out of her abusive marriage, She and Ike were about to start their tour in Dallas, and on the way to the hotel, he started hitting her; this time, she slapped him back, kicked him, and cursed at him.

She ran out of the car, wearing a white Yves Saint Laurent suit with blood spots on it, and went into a Ramada Inn, asked the manager to give her room, and promised to pay later.

She sat in her hotel eating soup because she was too swollen to eat anything else; she had no one to call because everyone was connected to Ike.

Tina Turner in London in 1975 | Source: Getty Images

Nevertheless, she called his lawyer Nate Tabour who knew Turner was suffering. So she stayed with him for a few weeks until Ike threatened his family and found her.

Through her Buddhism, she found a woman who lived in the mountains and stayed there for a few months. Her sons were in their late teens, and the separation took a toll on the relationship in the long run because she could not tell them where she was.

After escaping her relationship, she faced angry sponsors from the tour, demanding payback. Ike also wanted to take everything from her, including her name.

Tina Turner in Minneapoli in 1985 | Source: Getty Image

After much deliberation Turner decided she was ready to start over, so she gave him everything and asked to keep her name Tina Turner. She finalized the divorce in 1978. Six years later, she released her album "Dirty Dancer," which won her a Grammy and led her to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

How Did Ronnie, Tina, and Ike's Son, Die?

The youngest of Turner's biological children died in December 2022 due to complications with colon cancer.

Ronnie was found outside his house struggling to breathe, and shortly after, he stopped breathing completely. Paramedics rushed to his house, but he was pronounced dead on the scene.

His death was announced to the public by his wife, Afida, who wrote, "My god Ronnie Turner a true angel huge soul highly spiritual my husband my best friend my baby your mummy your nurse. I did my best to the end this time, I was not able to save you. Loved u for these 17 years; this is very very very bad I am very mad."

Turner also shared a tribute to her son and wrote, "Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son."

The icon had also tragically lost her eldest son Craig after he took his own life at 59 in 2018. Ike also died from an overdose in 2007.

Turner did not have an easy life, but she was one of the best musicians in history. The fight and strength she put into her career will never be forgotten.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

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