Tina Turner Wasn't Just a Grammy-Winning Singer — She Was Also a Grandma
May 24 2023, Updated 3:22 p.m. ET
Along with being one of the most iconic artists in music history, Tina Turner was also a proud grandmother before her death in 2023 at the age of 83.
The legendary singer had two biological children —Craig and Ronald — as well as her two adopted sons, Ike Jr. and Michael.
However, many people might not know that Tina was also a grandmother, and had two grandchildren. Here is what you need to know about her loving family.
Tina's two grandchildren are from her son, Ronald "Ronnie" Turner.
With ex-husband Ike Turner, Tina welcomed son Ronald “Ronnie” Turner in 1960.
According to The Sun, Ronnie played bass in Tina’s band and later played in a band with Ike.
Tina Turner and Ike Turner Sr. with their children, circa 1972
Tina discussed her relationship with Ronnie in a 1989 TV Week interview, as she refuted Ike’s criticisms of her parenting skills.
"[Ike] gave me those children and not a penny to look after them with," she said at the time. "I was left trying to take care of his kids and mine. And as for his accusations about me being a bad mother to Ronnie, he was put through private schools and given allowances and everything you can give a kid."
Ronnie Turner (center) with mom Tina Turner and wife Afida.
She went on to say that Ronnie was “determined” to be self-destructive.
"You have to draw the line. I keep an eye on him, and when he hits rock bottom, I chip in, but then I back off again. I’m not going to be a bank for a nearly 30-year-old man," she explained. "I supported Ronnie well into his 20s, but they all recently got cut off. I’m still there for the boys, but I’m not going to let them use me.”
Ronald married French-American singer Afida Turner and welcomed two children with her, Tina’s only two grandchildren. Unfortunately, Ronnie passed away at the age of 62 in December 2022 from complications from metastatic colon carcinoma.
Tina’s first biological son, Craig, died in 2018.
Brothers Ronnie and Craig Turner.
With saxophonist Raymond Hill, Tina welcomed her son Craig Turner in 1958, when she was 18 years old, according to OprahDaily.com.
Craig died by suicide in 2018 at age 59, and Tina told BBC News months later that she had no idea what “took him to the edge,” especially because he had just gotten a real estate job and a girlfriend.
“He was bringing her to meet me [for] his birthday in August,” she shared at the time. “He had decorated his apartment, that I bought him years ago. He had gotten a new job with a prominent real estate company in California, [which] he was very happy with. I have no idea what pulled him down, except something that followed him with loneliness. I think it was something with being alone.”
She went on: “He was an introverted person, he was very shy, so I didn’t know either, except now when I listen back to our last conversations, I notice a change. The last few times we talked, the conversations were different, and I didn’t know that until after the suicide.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
