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," was a highly successful singer, songwriter, actress, and author. Known for her powerful vocals, raspy voice, and electrifying stage presence, she broke racial barriers in rock music. As one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, she sold an estimated 100 million records, solidifying her iconic status.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

November 26, 1939: Anna Mae Bullock Born

On November 26, 1939, Anna Mae Bullock, who would later become known as Tina Turner, was born. She was a singer, songwriter, actress, and author.

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1950: Mother Leaves to St. Louis

In 1950, when Anna Mae Bullock was 11 years old, her mother, Zelma, left without warning, relocating to St. Louis to escape an abusive relationship.

1956: Meeting Ike Turner

In 1956, Tina Turner met Ike Turner and had a platonic relationship from the time they met until 1960. She likened their relationship to that of a "brother and sister from another lifetime".

August 20, 1958: Birth of Son Raymond Craig

On August 20, 1958, Tina Turner gave birth to her son Raymond Craig with Kings of Rhythm saxophonist Raymond Hill. She became a single parent after Hill left the band before their son's birth.

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1958: Graduation from Sumner High School

In 1958, Anna Mae Bullock graduated from Sumner High School in St. Louis, Missouri.

October 1960: Birth of Son Ronnie

In October 1960, Tina Turner gave birth to her and Ike Turner's son Ronnie.

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October 27, 1960: Birth of Ronald "Ronnie" Renelle Turner

On October 27, 1960, Tina Turner had her second biological son, Ronald "Ronnie" Renelle Turner, with Ike Turner.

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1960: Recording of "A Fool in Love" and Renaming as Tina Turner

In 1960, Anna Mae Bullock recorded "A Fool in Love" after Art Lassiter failed to appear. Disc jockey Dave Dixon convinced Ike Turner to send the tape to Juggy Murray, who was impressed with Bullock's vocals and bought the track. Ike Turner then renamed Bullock "Tina Turner".

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1960: Affair with Ike Turner begins

In 1960, Tina Turner's affair with Ike Turner began while Ike was with his live-in girlfriend Lorraine Taylor. They became intimate when she went to sleep with him after another musician threatened to go into her room.

1962: Move to Los Angeles

In 1962, Tina and Ike Turner moved to Los Angeles.

1963: Purchase of 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 from St. Louis to live with them.

1968: Suicide Attempt

In 1968, Tina Turner attempted suicide by overdosing on Valium pills due to the violence and promiscuity throughout her marriage with Ike.

October 1972: Performance at Star-Spangled Women Fundraiser

In October 1972, Tina Turner and the Ikettes performed at Star-Spangled Women, a political fundraiser for the 1972 presidential campaign of George McGovern, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

1973: Introduction to Nichiren Buddhism

In 1973, Tina Turner was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism by Valerie Bishop, who worked at Ike & Tina Turner's studio, Bolic Sound.

July 1, 1976: Leaving Ike Turner

On July 1, 1976, Tina Turner abruptly left Ike Turner after a fight on their way to the Dallas Statler Hilton. She fled with only 36 cents and a Mobil credit card to the Ramada Inn across the freeway.

November 1976: Arrest for Carrying a Firearm

In November 1976, Tina Turner was stopped for a traffic violation, and an officer found a .38-caliber revolver in her purse. She was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.

1976: Departure from Ike & Tina Turner and Start of Solo Career

In 1976, after enduring years of marital abuse, Tina Turner left Ike & Tina Turner and embarked on a solo career.

March 29, 1978: Divorce Finalized

On March 29, 1978, Tina Turner's divorce from Ike Turner was finalized. After they disbanded, United Artists released two more albums credited to the duo: Delilah's Power (1977) and Airwaves (1978).

1978: Diners Club Lawsuit

In 1978, Diners Club Corp. sued Tina Turner and her company, Tina's Operation Oops, claiming she owed over $26,000 for purchases made using her credit card.

1978: Diagnosis of high blood pressure

In 1978, Tina Turner was diagnosed with high blood pressure, which remained mostly untreated, leading to kidney damage.

February 15, 1979: Featured in Jet Magazine with Buddhist Altar

On February 15, 1979, Tina Turner was featured in Jet magazine with her Buddhist altar on the cover, highlighting her spiritual journey.

1986: Meeting 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. They began dating later that year.

1986: Publication of "I, Tina" autobiography

In 1986, Tina Turner revealed in her autobiography, "I, Tina", that she was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism in 1973 by Valerie Bishop.

I, Tina: My Life Story

Check it on Amazon

1986: Relationship with Harry Taylor

In 1986, while still in Brownsville, Tina Turner was in a relationship with Harry Taylor. They met at a high school basketball game, and the relationship lasted for a year until she discovered Taylor had married another girl.

1993: Appearance in "What's Love Got to Do with It"

In 1993, Tina Turner's Buddhist chanting was dramatized in the film "What's Love Got to Do with It".

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1993: Release of "What's Love Got to Do with It" film

In 1993, the film What's Love Got to Do with It, based on Tina Turner's life, was released. Tina Turner contributed to the soundtrack for What's Love Got to Do with It, re-recording old songs and several new songs. The single "I Don't Wanna Fight" from the soundtrack was a hit. Tina Turner also embarked on her What's Love? Tour.

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1994: Move to Château Algonquin

In 1994, Tina Turner began living at Château Algonquin in Küsnacht on the shore of Lake Zurich.

1999: Roseanne Barr Urges Ike to Apologize

In 1999, on The Roseanne Show, Roseanne Barr urged Ike Turner to publicly apologize to Tina Turner.

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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: Meeting with the Dalai Lama

On August 2, 2005, Tina Turner met with the 14th Dalai Lama in Einsiedeln, Switzerland.

December 12, 2007: Ike Turner's Death

On December 12, 2007, after Ike Turner's death, Tina Turner issued a brief statement through her spokesperson stating that she hadn't had any contact with Ike in more than 30 years.

2007: Ike's Apology Letter

In 2007, Ike Turner told Jet that he still loved Tina Turner and had written a letter apologizing for "putting her and the kids through that kind of stuff", but he never sent it.

2009: Collaboration on spiritual music project "Beyond"

In 2009, Tina Turner co-created a spiritual music project called "Beyond" with Dechen Shak-Dagsay and Regula Curti.

2009: Co-founding the Beyond Foundation

In 2009, Tina Turner co-founded the Beyond Foundation, a global music foundation, with Regula Curti and Dechen Shak-Dagsay.

2009: Retirement from Performing

In 2009, Tina Turner officially retired from performing, marking the end of a long and successful career as a singer and performer.

2009: Retirement After 50th Anniversary Tour

In 2009, Tina Turner retired from performing after completing her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour.

April 22, 2013: Became a citizen of Switzerland

On April 22, 2013, Tina Turner became a citizen of Switzerland and was issued a Swiss passport.

July 2013: Marriage to Erwin Bach

In July 2013, after 27 years together, Tina Turner married Erwin Bach in a civil ceremony on the banks of Lake Zurich in Küsnacht, Switzerland.

October 24, 2013: Relinquishment of 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 suffered a stroke and had to relearn how to walk.

December 2016: Announcement of "Tina" Musical

In December 2016, Tina Turner announced that she had been working on "Tina", a musical based on her life story, in collaboration with Phyllida Lloyd and Stage Entertainment.

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2016: Diagnosis of intestinal cancer

In 2016, Tina Turner was diagnosed with intestinal cancer and initially attempted to treat it with homeopathy, which worsened her condition.

2016: Declaration as 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, Erwin Bach, donated a kidney to her.

April 2018: "Tina" Musical Opens in London

In April 2018, "Tina", a musical based on Tina Turner's life story, opened at the Aldwych Theatre in London with Adrienne Warren in the lead role.

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July 2018: Death of Craig Raymond Turner

In July 2018, Tina Turner's son Craig Raymond Turner (formerly Raymond Craig Hill) was found dead in an apparent suicide.

2018: Forgiveness of Ike Turner

In 2018, Tina Turner told The Sunday Times that she had forgiven Ike Turner, but would not work with him again, refusing his request for one more tour together.