Tina Turner's Husband Said She Was 'Only Reason' He's Still Breathing: He Showed True Love, Donated Kidney & Took Care of Her

• Tina Turner died at 83 after finding true happiness with her second husband.
• Erwin Bach showed her what true love is and said she was the only reason he was still living.
• Bach saved her life and cooked for her. The couple were close till the end. Turner also revealed the secret of their love.

Tina Turner was a great vocalist and charismatic performer. She died peacefully at the age of 83 on May 24, 2023. She passed away in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, after battling a long illness.

Tina started performing alongside her ex-husband Ike Turner, who subjected her to years of abuse. The singer was lucky to find love in her second husband, who saved her life and cooked for her.

"The Best" singer found fame in the 1960s alongside Ike, and the two seemed like a match made in heaven.

However, after Tina fled the couple's hotel room in 1976, she started revealing the reality of her relationship with Ike. She shared with the world that she had survived a toxic marriage in a bombshell interview in 1981. In her 1986 autobiography called "I, Tina," the singer revealed:

"It was my relationship with Ike that made me most unhappy. At first, I had really been in love with him. Look what he'd done for me. But he was totally unpredictable."

Tina and Ike met when she was 16 years old and still in high school. Ike was the leader of a group called Kings of Rhythm, which Tina quickly joined after he was impressed by her voice.

The couple was in a platonic relationship from 1957 to 1960 and started dating when Ike was still seeing his girlfriend, Lorraine Taylor. Tina and Ike had their son Ronnie and then got married in Tijuana in 1962.

Tina adopted two of Ike's sons with Lorraine. She revealed that she was hesitant to marry Ike and "didn't have much choice. By the time he proposed, we had four children between us and a shared career as the Ike and Tina Turner Revue."

Ike abused Tina throughout their relationship. The abuse affected her mental health that the singer confessed she attempted suicide:

"I knew I should leave, but I had no money and didn't know how to take the first step. At my lowest, I convinced myself that death was my only way out."

After her attempted suicide, the queen of rock 'n' roll told herself that she had survived for a reason. She eventually reached her breaking point in 1976 and fled from a hotel Ike, and she was in to a Ramada Inn.

The Grammy winner filed for divorce in 1976, and it was finalized in 1978. Tina went on to build a solo career, and as much as it wasn't easy at the beginning, she triumphed and became the queen of rock 'n' roll. Ike died in 2007 of a cocaine overdose at age 76.

The "Steamy Windows" star later found true love in her second husband, Erwin Bach, a decade after leaving Ike.

When Tina's life was at risk, Erwin showcased his true love when he donated one of his kidneys to the singer.

It Was Love at First Sight for Tina Turner and Her Second Husband

Tina met her second husband, Erwin, ten years after she divorced Ike. The couple dated for 27 years and were married for ten years until Tina died.

The "Private Dancer" singer met Erwin in 1985 at the airport in Düsseldorf, Germany. Tina's manager asked him to pick the singer when she arrived.

The couple confessed that there was an instant connection from the moment they locked their eyes during their first meeting.

Tina noted that Erwin was so good-looking that her heartbeat was so fast when she met him, and her hands were shaking. The pair started dating the same year they met.

The singer revealed that falling in love with Erwin was a compromise as ghost voices in her head often told her she shouldn't think of romance as it never ended well:

"Instead, I listened to my heart. I left my comfort zone and made it a priority to get to know Erwin. That simple first meeting led to a long, beautiful relationship and my one true marriage."

Erwin confessed that he proposed to Tina multiple times during their relationship, but she said nothing. Tina noted that she never wanted to say no as she didn't want their relationship to end. A relentless Erwin eventually convinced the singer to marry him.

Tina and Erwin got married after dating for 27 years. They tied the knot in a civil ceremony in Switzerland when the singer was 73.

The couple got married as much as people criticized their relationship due to the age gap. Erwin was 16 years younger than Tina, and people accused him of being with the singer for her fame and money.

Erwin never let Tina dim her light for his to shine throughout their relationship. He ensured his wife remained true to herself.

The singer's husband constantly proclaimed the affection he had for his wife on social media. He once shared an incredible picture of themselves and captioned it, "I don't think I've shown my appreciation enough, but you're the only reason I'm still breathing."

The couple kept their relationship private over the years, but whenever they opened up, they would speak of how strong and special their love was.

Tina Turner Explained the Secret to Their 37-Year Relationship

The "Addicted to Love" singer and her husband shared lots of love and special moments together. As per Tina, Erwin taught her how to love without giving up who she was. In her book, "Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good," Tina wrote:

"We grant each other freedom and space to be individuals at the same time we are a couple. Erwin, who is a force of nature in his own right, has never been the least bit intimidated by my career, my talents, or my fame."

When Tina's life was at risk, Erwin showcased his true love when he donated one of his kidneys to the singer. In 2017, Tina suffered kidney failure and needed a life-saving transplant; she revealed:

"I'm happy to say that, thanks to my beloved husband, Erwin, giving me one of his kidneys, the gift of life, I'm in good health and loving life every day."

Tina added that when Erwin gave him his kidney, it allowed her to survive and thrive. She noted that the additional time alive gave her a chance to write her book and pass on her precious and greatest gift to others.

Tina was also diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016, which she survived. She always thanked Erwin for his loyalty, kindness, and understanding that helped her overcome health issues.

Erwin not only took care of Tina's health, but he also cooked for him. The singer noted that as much as they could afford a personal chef, they did not have one:

"Nowadays I find extravagant cooking for large groups of people less and less interesting and the preparation involves too much work. Erwin is a good cook and he does a lot of it."

Tina also revealed that she loved eating her breakfast in bed while looking at outside at the beautiful views.

When Tina retired, she sold her music rights, image, name, and likeness to BMG publishing company. The singer died a music legend with 8 Grammys, 3 Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, among other notable recognitions and awards.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

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