Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, passed away on May 24, 2023, at the age of 83. She was a global icon who inspired millions with her powerful voice, electrifying stage presence, and remarkable resilience. She was also a loving mother of four sons. So who are they? In this article, we will get to know them.
Craig Raymond Turner
Craig was Tina’s eldest son, born on August 29, 1958, to saxophonist Raymond Hill, who played with Tina in the band Kings of Rhythm. Craig was adopted by Ike Turner, Tina’s first husband and musical partner when they married in 1962.
Craig grew up witnessing the domestic violence that plagued his mother’s relationship with Ike. He later worked as a real estate agent in Beverly Hills.
Sadly, Craig died by suicide on July 3, 2018, at his home in California. He was 59 years old. Tina scattered his ashes off the coast of California and wrote on Twitter: “My saddest moment as a mother. On Thursday, July 19, 2018, I said my final goodbye to my son, Craig Raymond Turner … he will always be my baby.”
Ronnie Renelle Turner
Ronnie was Tina’s only biological child with Ike Turner, born on October 27, 1960. He followed his parent’s footsteps and pursued a career in music, playing bass guitar for his mother’s band and later forming his own group called Manufactured Funk.
He also appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993), The Big Lebowski (1998), and Ally McBeal (2000).
Renelle married French singer and actress Afida Turner in 2007 and lived in France with her. He died on December 9, 2022, at the age of 62, after being diagnosed with cancer. His wife announced his death.
Tina mourned his loss and posted on Instagram: “Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow, I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son.”
Ike Turner Jr.
Ike Jr. was one of Ike Turner’s two sons from his previous marriage to Lorraine Taylor. He was born on October 3, 1958, and was adopted by Tina when she married Ike in 1962.
Jr. also became a musician and played keyboards for his father’s band, the Kings of Rhythm. He later formed his own group called Black Berri and released an album called The Ultimate Collection in 2007.
He also worked as a music producer and engineer for various artists. He has kept a low profile in recent years and has not yet publicly spoken about his mother’s death.
Michael Turner
Michael was Ike Turner’s other son from his marriage to Lorraine Taylor. He was born on February 23, 1960, and was also adopted by Tina when she married Ike in 1962. He also joined his father’s band as a drummer and later became a music producer and songwriter.
Ike Turner Jr. stated that he and his brothers have a distant relationship with their mother, Tina Turner. Turner also wrote in her autobiography I, Tina that after her divorce she became “a little bit estranged” from all her sons except Craig.
Turner told TV Week in 1989, that “she’s still there for the boys”. However, there had been reports of Turner’s estrangement from her sons in the years before her death.