Tina Turner’s legendary five-decade career showcased her incredible talent, but her journey to personal happiness was marked by hardship. Her first marriage to musical partner Ike Turner was abusive and lasted 16 years. Feeling trapped in a “thoroughly unhappy situation,” Tina left Ike in 1976, walking away without financial support and enduring a public, difficult divorce. Despite these challenges, she eventually reinvented herself as a solo artist in the early 1980s, achieving a No. 1 hit with “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and beginning a triumphant new chapter in her life.

Her life took a transformative turn when she met German music executive Erwin Bach in 1985 at a German airport. Even after a long flight, Tina immediately felt an emotional connection to him. Although hesitant to pursue love after her traumatic past, she listened to her heart and gave Bach a chance. They began dating in 1986, and Tina later described their relationship as her “one true marriage,” emphasizing the deep bond they shared.

The couple, who had a 16-year age difference, remained together for more than two decades before marrying in 2013. Their wedding included a beautiful ceremony by Lake Zurich and a Buddhist ceremony at their home. Despite having previously insisted that they didn’t need a public wedding, they celebrated with close friends and stars, including David Bowie and Oprah Winfrey, marking a joyful milestone in their enduring partnership.

Life with Bach was not without challenges. Just three weeks after their wedding, Tina suffered a stroke and had to relearn how to walk. In 2016, she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer and faced total kidney failure. Bach saved her life by donating one of his own kidneys in 2017, allowing Tina to recover and continue enjoying a fulfilling life. Their mutual support during these health crises highlighted the strength and depth of their love.

Tina Turner often spoke of the joy and stability she found with Bach, describing her later years as her “ideal version of happiness.” She passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on May 24, 2023, at her home in Switzerland. Their relationship, which endured age differences, career pressures, and severe health struggles, remains a powerful testament to the idea that true love and happiness can be found at any stage of life.