The Love Story of Tina Turner and Erwin Bach: Overcoming Tragedy and Finding True Love
Tina Turner, the legendary singer known for her powerful vocals, has left an indelible mark on the world of music. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 83 after a prolonged illness. Throughout her life, Tina experienced both triumphs and challenges, but her love story with Erwin Bach remained a constant source of support and happiness.
Tina Turner and Ike Turner, portrait, London, October 1975. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
A Turbulent Past
Tina Turner’s journey began with her first husband, Ike Turner, from whom she derived her surname. Tina and Ike met in a Manhattan nightclub and soon started making music together. They tied the knot in 1962, but behind the façade of their picture-perfect marriage, a dark reality existed. Tina later revealed in her book ‘My Love Story’ that the relationship was plagued by physical and verbal abuse.
“The marriage was brutal, both physically and verbally,” Tina wrote. She detailed Ike’s aggressive behavior whenever he felt disrespected by her.
After enduring years of abuse, Tina made the courageous decision to leave Ike in 1976, finalizing their divorce two years later.
Singer Tina Turner poses with Erwin Bach to celebrate her 50th birthday in November 1989, London. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
A Fateful Encounter
Following her tumultuous first marriage, Tina had no intentions of marrying again. However, fate had other plans when she met Erwin Bach by chance.
Erwin, a 30-year-old EMI music executive, was sent to pick up Tina from the airport before her performance in Germany. Tina was immediately captivated by Erwin’s beautiful face and felt an instant connection.
“He had the most beautiful face,” Tina recalled. “It was impossible to overlook. My heart skipped a beat. It denotes the meeting of two souls.”
Despite reservations about embarking on another romantic journey, Tina invited Erwin to visit her in the United States. As they spent more time together, Tina realized that Erwin possessed qualities that endeared him to her.
Over time, their love deepened, and Tina and Erwin became inseparable. Their bond remained strong until Tina’s passing.
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A Lifelong Commitment
Erwin’s love and dedication to Tina were unwavering. He once described their connection as an “electrical charge” that continued to flow through him even when they were apart.
“It’s love,” Erwin expressed. “It’s something we both have in common. I still have that feeling even though I left her two hours ago. It’s in my blood. This makes me very happy.”
Erwin proposed to Tina on her 50th birthday, expecting an affirmative response. However, Tina declined, citing her previous traumatic marriage experience and her aversion to the institution of marriage.
“I said, ‘I don’t have an answer,’” Tina explained. “It wasn’t a yes or a no. Marriage denotes ownership. I didn’t want anything to do with ‘my’ anymore. I had enough of that.”
Despite the initial refusal, Erwin’s unwavering love prevailed. Tina eventually changed her mind, accepting his proposal nearly three decades after he first asked.
The couple exchanged vows in a grand ceremony at their lavish home in Switzerland, surrounded by close friends, including Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King.
Tina Turner and Erwin Bach attend the opening night of “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 07, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
A Lasting Love
Tina and Erwin settled into their beautiful home in Switzerland, overlooking Lake Zurich. It provided them with a tranquil haven where they enjoyed their lives together after Tina retired from performing in 2009. Tina even became a Swiss citizen, embracing her new life.
Despite facing health challenges, including a diagnosis of kidney cancer in 2016, Tina found solace in Erwin’s love and support. When the option of a kidney transplant arose, Erwin selflessly offered to be her donor.
“He said he wanted to donate one of his kidneys to me,” Tina revealed. His sacrifice proved successful, and Tina’s health improved.
Tragedy struck again when Tina’s son from a previous relationship, Craig Turner, took his own life. This devastating loss tested Tina’s strength, but Erwin remained a constant source of comfort throughout.
Despite the ups and downs, Tina and Erwin’s love endured. Tina once shared a photo of them kissing, expressing their unwavering love after more than 30 years together.
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In the end, Tina Turner found true love and happiness in Erwin Bach, a love that withstood the test of time, tragedy, and adversity.
Let us remember Tina Turner not only for her powerful vocals but also for the enduring love story she shared with Erwin Bach.
Husband-and-wife R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner pose for a portrait in circa 1972. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Rest in peace, Tina Turner. Your music and love story will continue to inspire generations to come.