Childhood and Education Journey of Tina Turner in Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Tina Turner. A timeline of key moments.
Tina Turner, the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll," achieved fame as the lead singer of Ike & Tina Turner before launching a highly successful solo career after a difficult marriage and subsequent divorce in 1976. As a singer, songwriter, and actress, she became a global cultural icon. Her powerful vocals, energetic stage presence, and resilience cemented her place as one of the greatest and most influential performers of all time.
November 26, 1939: Anna Mae Bullock Born
On November 26, 1939, Anna Mae Bullock, who would later become Tina Turner, was born.
1950: Mother Relocated to St. Louis
In 1950, when Anna Mae Bullock was 11 years old, her mother Zelma left to relocate to St. Louis.
1956: Met Ike Turner
In 1956, Tina Turner met Ike Turner and became platonic friends.
August 1958: Birth of Son Craig
In August 1958, Tina Turner gave birth to her son Craig, with saxophonist Raymond Hill, becoming a single parent after Hill returned to his hometown.
August 20, 1958: Birth of Raymond Craig Turner
On August 20, 1958, Tina Turner gave birth to her eldest son, Raymond Craig, with Raymond Hill.
1958: High School Graduation
In 1958, Anna Mae Bullock graduated from Sumner High School.
October 1960: Birth of Son Ronnie
In October 1960, Tina Turner gave birth to her son Ronnie with Ike Turner.
October 27, 1960: Birth of Ronald "Ronnie" Renelle Turner
On October 27, 1960, Tina Turner gave birth to her son, Ronald "Ronnie" Renelle Turner, with Ike Turner.
1960: Renamed Tina Turner and "A Fool in Love" Recording
In 1960, Anna Mae Bullock recorded "A Fool in Love", was renamed Tina Turner, and her stage persona was created by Ike Turner.
1960: Began Affair with Ike Turner
In 1960, Tina Turner and Ike Turner began an affair.
1962: Moved to Los Angeles
In 1962, after the birth of their son Ronnie, Tina and Ike Turner moved to Los Angeles.
1963: Ike Purchased a house in View Park
In 1963, Ike Turner purchased a house in the View Park area. They brought their son Ronnie, Turner's son Craig, and Ike's two sons with Lorraine from St. Louis to live with them.
1968: Suicide Attempt
In 1968, Tina Turner attempted suicide by overdosing on Valium pills due to her abusive relationship with Ike Turner.
October 1972: Star-Spangled Women Performance
In October 1972, Tina Turner and the Ikettes performed at Star-Spangled Women, a political fundraiser for George McGovern, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1973: Introduced to Nichiren Buddhism
In 1973, Tina Turner was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism and the chant nam-myōhō-renge-kyō by one of Ike Turner's mistresses, Valerie Bishop.
July 1, 1976: Left Ike Turner After Bloody Fight
On July 1, 1976, Tina Turner left Ike Turner after a bloody fight, fleeing with only 36 cents and a Mobil credit card.
March 29, 1978: Divorce Finalization
On March 29, 1978, Tina Turner's divorce from Ike Turner was finalized, marking the end of their tumultuous personal and professional relationship.
1978: Diagnosis of high blood pressure
In 1978, Tina Turner was diagnosed with high blood pressure, which remained mostly untreated.
February 15, 1979: Featured in Jet Magazine with Buddhist Altar
The February 15, 1979, issue of Jet magazine featured Tina Turner with her Buddhist altar on the cover, highlighting her growing spiritual practice.
1986: Described Relationship with Harry Taylor to Rolling Stone
In 1986, Tina Turner described the details of her first love, Harry Taylor, including how they met and eventually dated for a year, to Rolling Stone.
1986: Met Erwin Bach
In 1986, Tina Turner met German music executive Erwin Bach, who was sent by her European record label (EMI) to greet her at Düsseldorf Airport.
1986: I, Tina: My Life Story Publication
In 1986, Tina Turner's autobiography, I, Tina: My Life Story, was published.
1986: Discussed Introduction to Buddhism in Autobiography
In her 1986 autobiography I, Tina, Tina Turner discussed being introduced to Nichiren Buddhism.
1989: Reported Estrangement from Sons
In 1989, despite stating she was still there for her sons, there were reports of Tina Turner's estrangement from her sons in the years before her death.
1993: Portrayal of Chanting in "What's Love Got to Do with It"
In 1993, a dramatization of Tina Turner chanting was included in the film "What's Love Got to Do with It".
1994: Began Living at Château Algonquin
In 1994, Tina Turner began living at Château Algonquin in Küsnacht on the shore of Lake Zurich.
1999: Roseanne Barr Urged Ike to Apologize to Tina
In a 1999 interview on The Roseanne Show, Roseanne Barr urged Ike Turner to publicly apologize to Tina Turner for his abuse.
July 2000: Retirement Announcement
At a July 2000 concert in Zurich, Switzerland, Tina Turner announced that she would retire at the end of the Twenty Four Seven Tour.
August 2, 2005: Met with the Dalai Lama
On August 2, 2005, Tina Turner met with the 14th Dalai Lama in Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
December 12, 2007: Death of Ike Turner
On December 12, 2007, Ike Turner died. Tina Turner issued a brief statement through her spokesperson, stating she hadn't had contact with him in over 30 years and would not comment further.
2007: Ike Wrote a Letter Apologizing to Tina
In 2007, Ike Turner told Jet that he still loved Tina Turner and had written a letter apologizing for his past behavior, but he never sent it.
2009: Co-created Beyond Project
In 2009, Tina Turner co-created a spiritual music project called Beyond with Dechen Shak-Dagsay and Regula Curti.
2009: Co-founded the Beyond Foundation
In 2009, Tina Turner co-founded the Beyond Foundation, a global music foundation, with Regula Curti and Dechen Shak-Dagsay.
2009: Official Retirement from Performing
In 2009, Tina Turner officially retired from performing, marking the end of a legendary career.
2009: Retirement After Anniversary Tour
In 2009, Tina Turner retired after completing her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour.
April 22, 2013: Became a Swiss Citizen
On April 22, 2013, Tina Turner became a citizen of Switzerland and was issued a Swiss passport.
July 2013: Married Erwin Bach
In July 2013, after a 27-year relationship, Tina Turner married Erwin Bach in a civil ceremony on the banks of Lake Zurich in Küsnacht, Switzerland.
October 24, 2013: Relinquished American Citizenship
On October 24, 2013, Tina Turner signed the paperwork to relinquish her American citizenship at the US embassy in Bern.
2013: Stroke after wedding
In 2013, three weeks after her wedding to Erwin Bach, Tina Turner had a stroke and needed to learn to walk again.
2016: Diagnosis of intestinal cancer
In 2016, Tina Turner was diagnosed with intestinal cancer and attempted to treat it with homeopathy, which worsened her condition.
2016: Declared Herself a Buddhist
In a 2016 interview with Lion's Roar magazine, Tina Turner declared, "I consider myself a Buddhist."
April 7, 2017: Kidney transplantation surgery
On April 7, 2017, Tina Turner underwent kidney transplantation surgery after her husband donated a kidney.
July 2018: Death of Craig Raymond Turner
In July 2018, Tina Turner's son, Craig Raymond Turner, died in an apparent suicide.
2018: Forgave Ike Turner
In 2018, Tina Turner told The Sunday Times that "as an old person, I have forgiven him, but I would not work with him".
2018: Release of memoir and revelation of illnesses
In her 2018 memoir My Love Story, Tina Turner revealed that she had multiple life-threatening illnesses.
2020: Spiritual Memoir Release
In 2020, Tina Turner discussed her spiritual journey in her memoir Happiness Becomes You that her son Ronnie Turner, first suggested she might benefit from chanting.
2021: Chanting in "Tina" Documentary
In 2021, dramatizations of Tina Turner chanting were included in the documentary film Tina.
December 2022: Death of Ronnie Turner
In December 2022, Tina Turner's son, Ronnie Turner, died from complications of colon cancer.
