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THE 'Queen of Rock and Roll' Tina Turner started her career in Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm band.

The duo was extremely popular for their music in the late 1950s - eventually developed a romantic partnership as their careers progressed.

Tina and Ike Turner met in a nightclub in Manhattan
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Tina and Ike Turner met in a nightclub in Manhattan

How long was Tina Turner married to Ike?

Tina and Ike Turner were married for 16 years.

The star was only 22 years old when she fell in love with Ike, who was five years her junior, according to the BBC.

The pair met at a nightclub in Manhattan and sparked up a romance after singing together.

After dating for some time, Tina and Ike traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, to marry in 1962.

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She alleged that their relationship was physically abusive and in her memoir, My Love Story, Tina described feeling reluctant to wed, saying: "(Arguing) would just make him mad, and that might lead to a beating.

Tina and Ike traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, to get married in 1962
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Tina and Ike traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, to get married in 1962Credit: Corbis - Getty

Adding: "I definitely didn't want a black eye on my wedding day."

She recounted to W Magazine that Ike was upset when she would not change her name, saying: “First, he was verbally abusive. Then, he picked up a wooden shoe stretcher. 

“Ike knew what he was doing. If you play guitar, you never use your fists in a fight. He used the shoe stretcher to strike me in the head — always the head."

Ultimately, the singer left him in 1976 and their divorce was finalized just two years later. Ike died in December 2007.

She remarried music executive Erwin Bach in 2013 in Lake Zurich, Switzerland.

Turner, who said goodbye to her fans in a documentary film in 2021, died on May 24, 2023. She was 83.

Did Tina and Ike Turner have kids?

Tina and Ike had two sons together, Ronald Renelle and Raymond Craig Turner. 

Raymond Craig was adopted by Ike as Tina had him in a previous relationship with bandmate Raymond Hill.

Tina and Ike Turner divorced in 1978
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Tina and Ike Turner divorced in 1978Credit: Michael Ochs Archives - Getty

In addition, Ike had two other sons, Ike Turner Jr. and Michael Turner from a previous marriage to a woman named Lorraine Taylor.

Ike also had Mia Turner with Ann Thomas, and Twanna Melby Turner with Pat Richard.

When did Ike Turner die?

Ike passed away on December 12, 2007, at his home in San Marcos, California.

His body was reportedly found by his ex-wife Ann and his assistant Falina Rasool.

Ike passed away in 2007 from a cocaine overdose, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office
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Ike passed away in 2007 from a cocaine overdose, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's OfficeCredit: Getty - Contributor

The musician’s funeral was held on December 21, 2007. He was subsequently cremated.

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The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office in 2008 reported that Ike died from a cocaine overdose.

Ike left no will to his fortune and a judge ruled that his children would be the beneficiaries of his estate after his passing.

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