Tina Turner knew 'the end was near,' settled $270m estate years before death to prevent family conflict
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND: Tina Turner apparently settled all matters related to her estate years before her death in order to ensure there was no infighting within her family over her massive fortune. The iconic songstress died on Wednesday, May 24, after succumbing to a long illness at her home in Zurich, Switzerland.
"Tina Turner, the "Queen of Rock'n Roll" has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland," her publicist Bernard Doherty confirmed in a statement. "With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model. There will be a private funeral ceremony attended by close friends and family. Please respect the privacy of her family at this difficult time."
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Tina started getting "her ducks in a row" and finalized her will in 2021 itself, insiders told Radar Online. The 'Proud Mary' hitmaker, whose estate is estimated to be worth $270 million, reportedly feared she didn't have long to live and wanted to ensure everything was in order. She even sold off her music catalog to record label BMG for a reported $50 million. “Tina knows her time is short, and she wants to make sure her ducks are in a row for her family," a source said at the time. "She’s been dealing with poor health for years and knows the end is near.”
'She doesn't have long to live'
Tina battled a series of health problems in recent years, bravely battling intestinal cancer and undergoing a kidney transplant in 2017. Her doting husband, German actor and music producer Erwin Bach, 65, was her donor. In 2018, she lost her oldest son Craig Turner to suicide at age 59. "She’s on dialysis again. People in her circle fear she doesn’t have long to live," an insider told Radar Online in 2021.
Tina suffered yet another blow this year when her son Ronnie Turner died. He is said to have suffered a medical emergency at his San Fernando Valley home, and responding paramedics weren't able to revive him despite their best efforts. “Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son,” Tina said in a tribute. An autopsy report later revealed that Ronnie succumbed to health complications from stage 4 colon cancer.
'Tina, we will miss you'
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner," her rep said in a statement after she died this week. "With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow.” They added, “Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly."
The American-born singer had been living in Switzerland since 1994 with her husband and earned her Swiss citizenship in 2013. With one of the longest careers in rock n' roll history, Tina scored Billboard Top 40 hits across four decades and won several Grammys, a Kennedy Center Honor, and was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, according to People.