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Highlights

• Tina Turner's eldest son, Craig Turner, tragically died, leaving his mother heartbroken and devastated.
• Ike Turner Jr., Tina Turner's adopted son, found success in the music industry.
• Despite her fame and fortune, Tina Turner had a strained relationship with her children.

Despite her illustrious music career, Tina Turner endured years of horrendous marriage with her ex-husband, Ike Turner Sr., which emotionally scarred her children for life. After privately escaping from the US, she sold her music catalog for $50 million to enjoy a comfortable life away from an abusive relationship.

Turner's life drastically changed due to her crippling illness, and she never had the chance to meet her grandchildren or great-grandchildren before her passing. Turner left behind a $250 million fortune, but it is still unclear whether her children or her younger husband will inherit any of it.

What Tragedy Happened To Tina Turner's Eldest Son, Craig Raymond Turner?

Craig Raymond Turner was born to Raymond Hill and Tina Turner but was later adopted by Ike Turner Sr. after marrying Tina. As the eldest son, Craig witnessed his parents' tumultuous marriage that deeply affected his emotional state. When Tina left Ike Sr. in 1976, Craig had already graduated from high school, and after he served in the Navy, Craig pursued a career as a real estate agent in 2018.

However, on July 3, 2018, multiple reports confirmed that Craig died by suicide. Tina Turner was deeply heartbroken when she dispersed his ashes in the ocean and bid her final farewell on her X (formerly) Twitter account:

"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."

In an October 2018 interview with BBC News, Turner believed loneliness played a role in his demise, despite recent positive changes in his life. On Gayle King's show, Turner stated, "I think Craig was lonely, that's what I think really got him more than anything else."

Did Ike Turner Jr. Find Success In The Music Industry Like His Famous Parents?

Ike Turner Jr. was born to Ike Turner Sr. and Lorraine Taylor, but Tina Turner adopted him after she married Ike Sr. "Tina raised me from the age of 2. She's the only mother I've ever known," he told the Daily Mail.

Ike Jr. followed in his parent's footsteps in the music industry. As a musician, Tina played a significant role in guiding Ike Jr.'s musical journey and instrument choices.

"My first instrument was drums until my mother started making me break my drums down every day, so the piano was always there. So I started playing piano. I play guitar and bass. Everything except horn."

Ike Jr.'s musical talent earned him a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album with his father. He remains active in the music scene with his tribute band, The Love Thang.

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However, Ike Jr. was arrested in May 2023 for drug possession and tampering with evidence. According to the Alvin Police Dept., Ike Jr. was pulled over for an equipment violation and attempted to ingest the drugs before officers could seize them.

Was Tina Turner Embarrassed By Her Son, Michael Turner?

Michael Turner and Ike Tuner, Jr. share the same biological parents. After his birth in 1959, Michael found a new family when Tina Turner adopted him along with his older brother.

When Tina separated from Ike Sr. in 1978, Michael struggled in the aftermath of his parents' divorce. "Michael wanted my mother and father to get back together, and the next thing I knew he was in the hospital. He was hurt by their being apart," Ike Jr. shared in a 1985 interview with Spin:

Tina Turner's Biggest Hits per Billboard:

• "What's Love Got to Do With It" - September 1, 1984
• "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" - September 14, 1985
• "Typical Male" - October 18, 1986
• "Better Be Good to Me" - November 24, 1984
• "Proud Mary" - March 27, 1971

Michael Turner acknowledged to The Sunday Mercury that he dealt with addiction issues as an adult:

"I know in my heart if I called Tina or my father, Ike, right now they would come and help me, but I just can't do it. Tina was really good to me and I love her, but I can't live with anybody. I gotta be free to do what I want to do."

In 2017, Ike Jr. revealed to Bobby Eaton that Michael was dealing with strokes and seizures, and was using a wheelchair. By 2018, Ike Jr. shared with the Daily Mail that his brother resided in a convalescent home in Southern California, after requiring medical support. He also noted that Tina Turner had not personally visited Michael but supported him financially.

What Happened To Tina Turner's Youngest Son, Ronnie Turner?

Tina Turner and Ike Turner, Sr. had their only son together, Ronnie Turner. In 1989, Tina revealed to TV Week that despite the opportunities they provided for Ronnie's upbringing, he still had his self-destructive tendencies, so she maintained a watchful eye and boundaries to guide him. As a young adult, Ronnie faced legal issues related to drugs, prompting Tina to cut off financial support.

Ronnie also embraced his parents' musical legacy. He played bass in the group Manufactured Funk and made a cameo in the 1993 biopic What's Love Got to Do with It.

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Ronnie Turner married French singer Afida Turner in March 2007. Unfortunately, in December 2022, Ronnie succumbed to colon cancer at the age of 62. The day after his passing, Tina paid tribute to her youngest son on Instagram, expressing deep sorrow:

"Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow, I close my eyes and think of you. My beloved son."

Did Tina Turner Have A Relationship With Her Children Before She Died?

In 1985, Ike Turner, Jr. admitted that he lost contact with Tina Turner. He said in an interview with Spin, "I know she's busy, but I don't know why she hasn't called. I love her, she brought me up, she's my mother. It kind of feels like she's neglecting us, at least us three, me, Michael, and Ronnie."

In her 1986 autobiography, I, Tina, Turner revealed that she had become 'a little bit estranged' from most of her children, except for Craig. In October 1989, Turner told Australia's TV Week that she had ceased providing financial support to her children, "I'm still there for the boys, but I'm not going to let them use me."

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Ike Jr. revealed to the Daily Mail in 2018 that he had not spoken to Tina in over a decade.

I haven't talked to my mother since God knows when — probably around 2000. My mother is living her life — she has a new husband, and she's in Europe. She doesn't want to have anything to do with the past."

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