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 celebrated singer, songwriter, and actress, distinguished by her powerful vocals, distinctive raspy voice, and captivating stage presence. Initially gaining fame as the lead vocalist of the duo Ike & Tina Turner, her career was marked by a difficult marriage that eventually led to a divorce in 1976. Turner then embarked on a hugely successful solo career, solidifying her status as a global icon. Her resilience and talent made her one of the most influential entertainers of all time.

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 be known as Tina Turner, was born.

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1950: Mother Leaves

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

1956: First Meeting with Ike Turner

In 1956, Tina Turner first met Ike Turner, and they maintained a platonic friendship until 1960.

August 20, 1958: Birth of Son Raymond Craig

On August 20, 1958, Tina Turner gave birth to her eldest son, Raymond Craig, with Raymond Hill.

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1958: Graduation from Sumner High School

In 1958, Anna Mae Bullock graduated from Sumner High School. After graduating, she worked as a nurse's aide at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

July 1960: Public Introduction as Tina Turner

In July 1960, Anna Mae Bullock was introduced to the public as Tina Turner with the release of the single "A Fool in Love".

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October 1960: Birth of Son Ronnie

In October 1960, Tina Turner gave birth to her son Ronnie with Ike Turner.

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

On October 27, 1960, Tina Turner gave birth to her son Ronald "Ronnie" Renelle Turner with Ike Turner.

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1960: Recording of A Fool in Love and Name Change

In 1960, Anna Mae Bullock recorded the song "A Fool in Love", which was initially intended as a demo. This led to Juggy Murray buying the track and convincing Ike Turner to make Bullock the star of the show. Ike then renamed her "Tina Turner".

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1960: Affair with Ike Turner Begins

In 1960, Tina Turner began an affair with Ike Turner, while he was still with his live-in girlfriend.

1962: Move to Los Angeles

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

1963: Purchase of House in View Park

In 1963, Ike purchased a house in the View Park area, and 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: Performance at Star-Spangled Women Fundraiser

In October 1972, Tina Turner and the Ikettes performed at Star-Spangled Women, a political fundraiser for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign, 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, one of Ike Turner's mistresses. Bishop taught her the chant nam-myōhō-renge-kyō.

July 1, 1976: Leaving Ike Turner

On July 1, 1976, Tina Turner abruptly left Ike after a bloody fight on their way to a hotel in Dallas, fleeing with only 36 cents and a credit card.

1976: Divorce and Solo Career

In 1976, Tina Turner divorced Ike Turner, leading to the disbanding of their duo. Following this, Tina embarked on a successful solo career.

March 29, 1978: Divorce Finalized

On March 29, 1978, Tina Turner's divorce from Ike Turner was finalized. This marked 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 largely untreated for many years.

February 15, 1979: Jet Magazine Cover Featuring Buddhist Altar

The February 15, 1979, issue of Jet magazine featured Tina Turner with her Buddhist altar on the cover.

1986: Meeting Erwin Bach

In 1986, Tina Turner met German music executive Erwin Bach, sent by her European record label (EMI) at Düsseldorf Airport. They became friends and later started dating.

1986: Relationship with Harry Taylor

In 1986, Tina Turner recounted her first love with Harry Taylor, whom she met at a high school basketball game in Brownsville. Their relationship ended when she discovered he married another woman who was expecting his child.

1986: Autobiography Release

In 1986, Tina Turner released her autobiography, "I, Tina", where she discussed her introduction to Nichiren Buddhism and chanting.

I, Tina: My Life Story

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1986: Autobiography I, Tina: My Life Story Published

In 1986, Tina Turner's autobiography, "I, Tina: My Life Story", was published.

I, Tina: My Life Story

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1989: Estrangement from Sons

In 1989, Tina Turner mentioned that she was still there for her sons, but reports indicated an estrangement from them in the years before her death.

1993: Acting in Last Action Hero and What's Love Got to Do with It Film Release

In 1993, Tina Turner acted in the film "Last Action Hero". Also in 1993, the film "What's Love Got to Do with It", which dramatized her life and career, was released. This film was based on her autobiography.

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1993: Film Depiction of Chanting

In 1993, the film "What's Love Got to Do with It" included dramatizations of Tina Turner chanting, showcasing her spiritual practice.

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1994: Residence in Château Algonquin

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

1999: Roseanne Barr Urges Ike Turner to Apologize

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

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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, Ike Turner died. Tina Turner issued a brief statement saying she had not had contact with him in over 30 years and would make no further comment.

2007: Ike Turner's Apology Letter

In 2007, Ike Turner told Jet that he still loved Tina Turner and had written a letter apologizing for his past behavior but never sent it.

2009: Collaboration on Spiritual Music Project

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

2009: Co-founding of 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 after a successful career.

2009: Retirement After 50th Anniversary Tour

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

April 22, 2013: Swiss Citizenship

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

July 2013: Marriage to Erwin Bach

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

October 24, 2013: Relinquishment of US Citizenship

On October 24, 2013, Tina Turner signed the paperwork at the US embassy in Bern to relinquish her American citizenship.

2013: Stroke After Wedding

In 2013, three weeks after her wedding to Erwin Bach, Tina Turner suffered a stroke and had to learn to walk again.

December 2016: Announcement of "Tina" Musical

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

2016: Tina Turner Identifies as a Buddhist

In 2016, Tina Turner declared, "I consider myself a Buddhist," in an interview with Lion's Roar magazine, referencing her upbringing in the Baptist church and later conversion to Buddhism.

2016: Diagnosis of Intestinal Cancer

In 2016, Tina Turner was diagnosed with intestinal cancer.

April 7, 2017: Kidney Transplant Surgery

On April 7, 2017, Tina Turner underwent kidney transplantation surgery after her husband, Erwin Bach, donated a kidney.

April 2018: Opening of "Tina" Musical in London

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

July 2018: Death of Son Craig

In July 2018, Tina Turner's eldest son, Craig Raymond Turner, was found dead in an apparent suicide.

October 2018: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Release of Memoir

In October 2018, Tina Turner received the 2018 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and her second memoir, My Love Story, was released.

My Love Story

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2018: Memoir Revealing Health Struggles

In 2018, Tina Turner revealed in her memoir "My Love Story" that she had multiple life-threatening illnesses, including high blood pressure, a stroke, and intestinal cancer.

My Love Story

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2018: Forgiveness and Refusal to Collaborate

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

2019: "Tina" Musical on Broadway

In 2019, Adrienne Warren reprised her role in the musical Tina on Broadway.

2020: Spiritual Memoir Release

In 2020, Tina Turner released her spiritual memoir, "Happiness Becomes You", where she mentioned her son Ronnie's suggestion that she might benefit from chanting.

Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good

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October 2021: Sale of Music Rights and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

In October 2021, Tina Turner sold her music rights to BMG Rights Management for an estimated $50 million. Later that month, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.