Tina Turner dead aged 83: World mourns the ‘Queen of Rock and Soul’
Beyonce has posted a heartbreaking tribute as the world’s biggest stars honour “Queen of Rock and Soul” Tina Turner. See more.
Celebrity Life
Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Some of the world’s biggest stars have paid tribute to music legend Tina Turner after her death at the age of 83 following a long illness.
Tributes poured in from celebrities and world leaders after publicist Bernard Doherty confirmed the news, which he said had robbed the world of “a music legend and a role model.”
Mr Doherty said Turner died after a long illness at her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. He gave no details of the illness.
Roger Davies, Turner’s Australian manager for three decades, reminisced about her as “an unmatched force of nature whose strength, energy, and towering talent made her unique.”
“Since our first encounter in 1980, she possessed an unwavering belief in herself when the world seemed hesitant,” he said.
“All of us at Warner Music are deeply saddened by the passing of the one and only Tina Turner. A global icon and trailblazer, instantly recognisable by her incredible voice and inimitable style, she was one of the greatest stars of all time.”
Chief executive officer of recorded music at Warner Music Group Max Lousada said the label offered “heartfelt condolences” to Turner’s family and friends.
“Even after the countless awards, the 180 million album sales, the record-breaking tours, and unforgettable acting roles, Tina will be remembered most through the sheer joy of her music,” Mr Lousada said.
“So powerful is her extraordinary, universal appeal that there is no doubt she will continue to influence generations to come. She stands as the epitome of artistic self-empowerment.”
Sir Elton John said Turner was a “total legend on record and on stage”.
“We have lost one of the word’s most exciting and electric performers. A total legend on record and on stage. She was untouchable,” he wrote.
“Condolences to Erwin and her family. The saddest news.”
Beyonce, who performed with Turner at the 2008 Grammys, wrote on her website: “My beloved queen. I love you endlessly. I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way.
“You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain. Thank you for all you have done.”
Angela Bassett, who received an Oscar nomination for playing Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It, shared a statement with the Hollywood Reporter.
“I am honoured to have known Tina Turner,” she said. “I am humbled to have helped show her to the world. So on today, while we mourn the loss of this iconic voice and presence, she gave us more than we could have ever asked. She gave us her whole self.
“And Tina Turner is a gift that will always be ‘simply the best.’ Angels, sing thee to thy rest … Queen.”
Fellow singer Gloria Gaynor took to Instagram to hail Turner’s mould-breaking career.
“I am so, so very sad to hear of the passing of Tina Turner, the iconic, legend who paved the way for so many women in rock music, black and white,” she wrote.
“She did with great dignity and success what very few would even have dared to do in her time and in that genre of music.”
I am so, so very sad to hear of the passing of @TinaTurner, the iconic legend who paved the way for so many women in rock music, black and white. She did with great dignity & success what very few would even have dared to do in her time and in that genre of music 🕊 #TinaTurnerpic.twitter.com/HrcJj7PltI
— Gloria Gaynor (@gloriagaynor) May 24, 2023
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger lamented the loss of “an enormously talented performer and singer.
“She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her.”
In 2017, Turner revealed that she had taught the Stones frontman how to dance, schooling him in the 1960s move the Pony.
I’m so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner.
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) May 24, 2023
She was truly an enormously talented performer and singer. She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her. pic.twitter.com/TkG5VrdxXO
Bandmate Ronnie Wood called her “the Queen Of Rock And Soul and a dear friend.”
Former Beatle Ringo Starr posted: “God bless Tina Turner, peace and love to all her family” while guitar legend Eric Clapton posted a picture of himself performing on stage with Turner that was simply captioned: “RIP Tina”.
Chaka Khan wrote on Instagram: “Tina Turner had an album titled BREAK EVERY RULE – that summed up her life & career. She did not let any “rules” or labels stop her. She may have left this plane, but her spirit & voice are immortal.”
Dolly Parton referenced Turner’s song Proud Mary by writing: “Now she’s rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ on to glory. Roll on Tina. We will always love you!”
"I was a benefactor of the energy, creativity and talents of Tina Turner. A woman who started in rural Nutbush, TN cotton fields and worked her way to the very top. Tina was a great inspiration to me when I was starting out and remains so to this day. Love you Tina. RIP.†—DH pic.twitter.com/2sqg0biujc
— Debbie Harry/BLONDIE (@BlondieOfficial) May 24, 2023
Blondie‘s Debbie Harry shared that she was the “benefactor of the energy, creativity and talents of Tina Turner”.
Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, who duetted with Turner on It’s Only Love, paid a moving tribute.
“I’ll be forever grateful for the time we spent together on tour, in the studio and as friends,” he wrote, along with a sweet photo of the pair together.
“Thank you for being the inspiration to millions of people around the world for speaking your truth and giving us the gift of your voice. It’s Only Love and that’s all.”
Superstar Sir Rod Stewart, who covered the song It Takes Two with Turner, said he was left “devastated” by the passing of his friend.
Famed rock photographer Anton Corbijn described the singer as “a ball of positive energy and a serene Buddhist at the same time”.
Martha Stewart paid tribute to “Goddess” Turner by sharing a sweet photo of the two legends snuggled in bed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the iconic singer who “overcame trauma” and providing a “soundtrack to our lives”.
Sad to hear of the passing Tina Turner - a legend who overcame trauma and domestic violence to provide a soundtrack to our lives - Tina was Simply the Best. Vale.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 24, 2023
Former US president Barack Obama described Turner as “powerful” and “unstoppable”.
“She was unapologetically herself—speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy,” he tweeted.
“Today we join fans around the world in honoring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade.”
She lived a full life without regret and leaves behind a beautiful legacy. Thank you for everything, Tina Turner. You are simply the best. pic.twitter.com/wWxH9uo97z
— Oprah Winfrey Network (@OWNTV) May 24, 2023
Simply the best. Music legend Tina Turner sparkled across the stage and into millions of hearts as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. Her legacy will forever live among the stars. pic.twitter.com/W0OGq61vwT
— NASA (@NASA) May 24, 2023
Omg, I just saw that Tina Turner passed. Legend & Icon & that doesn’t even scratch the surface. May she rest in perfect peace & may her legacy of brilliance & resilience live on forever. #SimplyTheBestpic.twitter.com/LTeLdPWVGZ
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) May 24, 2023
Hip-hop star Nicki Minaj hailed Turner’s “legacy of of brilliance and resilience”.
They may have had a difficult relationship at points that ended up in their tour being cancelled, but Elton John says he still considers Turner to be “one of the world’s most exciting and electric performers.”
He posted a photo of the pair on Instagram alongside a caption: “We have lost one of the world’s most exciting and electric performers. A total legend on record and on stage. She was untouchable.”
Spice Girl Mel B said she was watching Tina the Musical with domestic abuse charity Women‘s Aid the night before Turner’s passing.
Like Turner, Mel B has also been a victim of domestic abuse and campaigns for better education and awareness around the issue.
“I cried, I sang along to every word, every song,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I celebrated her fight and all her glory, the story of Anna Mae Bullock, who made her life mean something, no matter the pain or the struggle.
“She became such an icon, a legend, suffering two decades of abuse from her then-husband.
“She did the impossible, she left him, she survived, she got away, and gave ALL survivors like me hope - so to hear of her passing right now is beyond devastating to me personally.
“I’m literally at a loss for words right now.”
Singer Mariah Carey also paid tribute to the star.
The words legendary, iconic, diva, and superstar are often overused and yet Tina Turner embodies them all and so many more - an incredible performer, musician and trailblazer. To me, she will always be a survivor and an inspiration to women everywhere. Her music will continue to… pic.twitter.com/ur7djmFHnW
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) May 24, 2023
Basketball legend Magic Johnson posted a picture with the songstress, whom he said was “one of my favorite artists of all time”.
“I’ve seen her many many times and hands down, she gave one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. She always gave you your moneys worth,” he tweeted.
Tina would have so much energy during her performances and was a true entertainer. She created the blueprint for other great entertainers like Janet Jackson and Beyoncé and her legacy will continue on through all high-energy performing artists. Cookie and I are praying for her… pic.twitter.com/tFpWfj8clC
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 24, 2023
Singer Ciara tweeted: “Heaven has gained an angel. Rest in paradise Tina Turner. Thank you for the inspiration you gave us all.”
Actor Forest Whitaker praise Turner’s “voice, her dancing, and her spirit.”
But he also hailed her ability to bounce back, in a nod to the difficulty of escaping her troubled marriage to Ike.
“As we honour her, let’s also reflect on her resilience, and think about all the greatness that can follow our darkest days. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us, Tina.”
English crooner Rick Astley tweeted “What a woman, what a life, what a voice! One of the GREATS!” while NASA declared that Turner’s “legacy will forever live among the stars.”
God bless Tina turner, peace and love to all her family Ringo, peace and love 😎✌ï¸ðŸŒŸâ¤ï¸ðŸŽ¶ðŸ’•ðŸŒˆâ˜®ï¸ pic.twitter.com/l2ieCvhq6t
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) May 24, 2023
Originally published as Tina Turner dead aged 83: World mourns the ‘Queen of Rock and Soul’
Join the conversation
Charles to ‘stay out’ of Republic debate
The King has issued a surprising response to a question about Australia’s future ahead of his five-day tour to the country later this week.
Read more
Star defends racy mag cover after backlash
JoJo Siwa has defended her decision to pose with a blinged-out jockstrap in a magazine cover photo shoot.
Read more