How did Ike Turner die? Tina Turner did NOT attend ex-husband's funeral after years of brutal physical abuse
For those who have been following Tina Turner's story, it's known that Ike Turner is a deeply troubled man. Plagued by several issues including his abusive tendencies both physical and emotional, his adulterous behavior during his marriage with Tina Turner and, of course, his problems with addiction are just some to name.
In one of her memoirs, 'My Love Story', Tina says, that sexual acts with Ike were “an expression of hostility — a kind of rape — especially when it began or ended with a beating". But while Ike may have made Tina suffer so much that she even attempted taking her own life, it seems that Ike damaged himself at least as much.
While Tina managed to escape from Ike's clutches, with just her stage name and a few cars, jewelry and furs, and went on to build an iconic career, Ike continued to battle his demons. His drug problem landed him behind bars and even as Ike and Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, Ike couldn't attend as he was serving an 18-month stint for drug possession.
RELATED ARTICLES
Ike Turner's addiction issues were hard to deny, but the musician was vehemently opposed to how he was projected in Tina's memoir, 'I, Tina' and the 1993 film 'What's Love Got To Do With It'. Ike, however, did admit to hitting Tina in his own autobiography called 'Takin' Back My Name'.
Tina Turner, in spite of the appalling behavior her ex-husband subjected her to, in later years said in an interview with The Guardian how she has broken the cycle of negativity, "I suppose it might seem natural to resent bad situations or other people’s bad behavior, but it’s just not in my nature. I’ve always felt the most important thing isn’t what happens to us, it’s how we choose to respond. I release negative feelings by taking to heart the importance of forgiveness and self-reflection rather than blame. That’s how I broke the cycles of negativity in my life."
It seemed that Ike had also broken his negative cycle, at least professionally, when he made a career comeback of sorts in 2001, releasing his first commercial record in 23 years 'Here and Now' which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. Ike then went on to win a Grammy (Best Traditional Blues Album) for his next original recording, 'Risin’ with the Blues' released in 2006.
Ike's run of fortune was short-lived. On December 12, 2007, Ike Turner died of a cocaine overdose in his home in San Marcos California. His high blood pressure and emphysema also contributed to his death. Tina Turner may have worked on releasing her resentment and rage towards her husband, but according to those closest to the singer, at the time of Ike's death, there was no question of Tina attending his funeral. The former duo had not had any contact in 35 years and not surprisingly for Tina, this was a chapter in her life that she would prefer to forget. In an interview with the New York Times, Tina on Ike said, “I don’t know if I could ever forgive all that Ike ever did to me, but Ike’s dead. So we don’t have to worry about him."
With Tina now battling several health challenges, we're sure that she would rather spend her energy focusing on the love she found with second husband Erwin Bach, who has been the complete antithesis of what Ike was to Tina.
To watch more about Tina Turner's fascinating life, you can catch 'Tina' a documentary on the legendary singer on HBO Max. You can catch the trailer below.