Tina Turner Will Not Be Forgiving Ike Turner

Last updated: September 10, 2019 6:30 AM

3 Min Read

Tina Turner doesn’t think she could “ever” forgive Ike Turner’s abuse.

The 79-year-old singer no longer worries about her late former spouse – who passed away in 2007 – but will never accept why he abused her and controlled her life until they split in 1976.

Turner also admitted she has never spoken about the full extent of Ike’s abuse because she is still “ashamed”.

She told The New York Times newspaper: “I think I’m ashamed. I feel I told enough.”

The “What’s Love Got To Do With It” singer doesn’t think she should be seen as a “strong” person.

'TINA: The Tina Turner Musical' Photocall — Tina Turner during the ‘TINA: The Tina Turner Musical’ photocall at Aldwych Theatre on October 17, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Getty Images)

She said: “I identify only with my life. I was busy doing it. Doing the work.”

“I don’t necessarily want to be a ‘strong’ person.”

“I had a terrible life. I just kept going. You just keep going, and you hope that something will come… This [life now] came.”

Tina retired 10 years ago and not only does she not miss performing, as she was ready for her career to be over while she was in the throes of her 50th-anniversary tour in 2009.

Giorgio Armani 40th Anniversary - Silos Opening And Cocktail Reception - Arrivals — Tina Turner attends the Giorgio Armani 40th Anniversary Silos Opening And Cocktail Reception on April 30, 2015 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)

She told The New York Times‘ Amanda Hess: “I was just tired of singing and making everybody happy.”

Meanwhile, her life continues to inspire, as the subject of a Broadway musical that starts previews Oct. 12 before officially opening on Nov. 7. And while Turner wasn’t able to watch her biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It?, finding it too painful, she has no problem watching Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.

As the Times notes, when the show opened in London, Turner even came on stage during the curtain call and told the actor who played Ike, “I forgive you.” That’s something she didn’t do in real life.

“I don’t know if I could ever forgive all that Ike ever did to me,” she tells the Times. But, she adds with a laugh, “Ike’s dead. So we don’t have to worry about him.”