The celebrated singer, Tina Turner passed away on May 24 at 83 after she lost the battle to chronic illness. Everyone who knows Turner credits and admires her for her musical talents and thrilling onstage performances rightfully, earning her the title of the “Queen of Rock and Roll”.
Her popular tracks and powerful vocals continue to inspire many contemporary artists like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Lopez, to name a few, but beside her contribution to music, Turner’s tumultuous personal life also made headlines, especially with regard to her abusive relationship with her husband and fellow musician, Ike Turner.
Fans, following her death, are revisiting those aspects of the icon’s life which have been barely touched by fame. including her family life and children.
Who are Tina Turner’s sons?
Turner is the mother of four sons and survived her oldest and youngest sons, Craig and Ronnie Turner, respectively.
At the age of 18 in 1958, she gave birth to her first and eldest son, Craig Raymond with Raymond Hill, who played saxophone in Ike Turner’s band, King of Rhythm. Throughout his life, Craig kept away from his family’s stardom and spotlight until he died by suicide in July 2018.
Following his sad demise, Turner recalled her memorable experiences with her son, calling him a “very emotional kid” who protested against his parents’ (Tina and Ike Turner) abusive marriage. In an interview with CBS, she mentioned how lonely her son who would probably be at peace after death,
“I think Craig was lonely, that’s what I think really got him more than anything else. I have pictures all around of him smiling, and I think I’m sensing that he’s in a good place. I really do.”
She also tweeted her grief of losing her child.
My saddest moment as a mother. On Thursday, July 19 2018, I said my final goodbye to my son, Craig Raymond Turner, when I gathered with family and friends to scatter his ashes off the coast of California. He was fifty-nine when he died so tragically, but he will always be my baby pic.twitter.com/XzZQCdz8tl
— TinaTurner (@tinaturner) July 27, 2018
In 1960, Turner had her youngest son, Ronnie Turner with Ike Turner Sr. Being the baby of the family, he was provided with plenty of opportunities from a very young age. “He was put through private schools and given allowances and clothes and everything you can give a kid” is what the singer told about his son’s privileged childhood.
Unfortunately, Ronnie’s constant drug abuse became a concern for his family due to which he got caught on numerous legal issues. However, he managed to get his life back on track following his parents’ musical career and building a family of his own. Sadly, his life was cut short in 2022 when he died of colon cancer.
The “What’s Love Got to Do With It” singer was taken by grief and took to Instagram writing, “Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you. My beloved son.”
Besides Craig and Ronnie, Turner has two adopted sons from her ex-husband, Ike Turner Jr., and Michael Turner. The former’s parents were Turner Sr. and his long-time girlfriend, Lorraine Taylor.
He picked up his father’s musical talent and won a Grammy in 2006 for producing his father’s album, Risin’ With The Blues. Amongst all her sons, information about Michael remains scarce as he has stayed a major part of his life out of the limelight.