Tina Turner was one of the most electrifying performers of the 20th century, a singer whose voice and stage presence earned her the title Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. She sold more than 100 million records and, after rebuilding her career in her forties, pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in music.
Her story is one of resilience and sheer talent, from small-town Tennessee to stadiums around the globe. Discover more icons in our female singers collection.
Tina Turner Fact File
| Birth name | Anna Mae Bullock |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 26 November 1939 |
| Place of birth | Brownsville, Tennessee, USA (raised in Nutbush) |
| Died | 24 May 2023, Küsnacht, Switzerland (aged 83) |
| Nationality | American-born; Swiss citizen from 2013 |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actor |
| Years active | 1958-2009 |
| Genres | Rock and roll, R&B, soul, rock, pop |
| Labels | Sue, United Artists, Capitol, Parlophone, Virgin |
| Nickname | Queen of Rock 'n' Roll |
Career History
| Years | Act / Label | Key releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Ike & Tina Turner / Sue | "A Fool in Love" |
| 1966 | Ike & Tina Turner / Philles | "River Deep - Mountain High" |
| 1971 | Ike & Tina Turner / United Artists | "Proud Mary" |
| 1984 | Solo / Capitol | Private Dancer |
| 1986 | Solo / Capitol | Break Every Rule |
| 1989 | Solo / Capitol | Foreign Affair ("The Best") |
| 1996-1999 | Solo / Parlophone, Virgin | Wildest Dreams, Twenty Four Seven |
A selection of landmark singles and albums across her duo and solo careers.
Early Years
Anna Mae Bullock was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, in 1939 and raised mainly in the farming community of Nutbush, a place she later celebrated in song. As a teenager she moved to St. Louis, where she began singing with Ike Turner's band and took the stage name Tina Turner.
Their first single together, "A Fool in Love", reached number two on the R&B chart in 1960. Hits followed through the decade, including "River Deep - Mountain High", a number three in the UK.
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Proud Mary and a New Beginning
Ike & Tina's version of "Proud Mary" became a US top-five hit in 1971 and won a Grammy. In 1975 Tina played the Acid Queen in the film Tommy. Her professional partnership with Ike ended in 1976, and she set about rebuilding her career as a solo artist, touring hard and recording on her own terms.
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Private Dancer and Global Stardom
Private Dancer (1984) changed everything. It sold around 10 million copies, "What's Love Got to Do with It" became her only US number one, and she won three Grammys at the 1985 ceremony. The following year she starred as Aunty Entity in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.
In January 1988 she played to around 180,000 people at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, at the time a Guinness record for the largest paying audience for a solo artist. Foreign Affair (1989) gave the world "The Best", and in 1995 she sang the Bond theme "GoldenEye".
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Honours
Halls of Fame
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 1991 (with Ike Turner) and 2021 (solo)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1986)
Awards
- 12 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award (2018)
- Kennedy Center Honors (2005)
Away From the Spotlight
Tina retired from touring after her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour in 2008-2009 and made her home in Switzerland. Her life inspired the stage musical TINA, which opened in London's West End in 2018 and ran for seven years, and the 2021 documentary TINA.
FAQs
How old was Tina Turner when she died?
Tina Turner was 83 when she died on 24 May 2023 in Küsnacht, Switzerland.
What was Tina Turner's real name?
She was born Anna Mae Bullock.
Where was Tina Turner born?
She was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, and grew up in nearby Nutbush.
How many Grammys did Tina Turner win?
She won 12 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
How many records did Tina Turner sell?
She sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Was Tina Turner in a Mad Max film?
Yes, she played Aunty Entity in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985).
Shop the Tina Turner Collection
Pay tribute to the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll with our fan designs, made to order in the UK.
Tina Turner Men's Hoodie
£39.99
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder.
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