Tina Turner’s daughter-in-law claims she was worried that the late singer would follow in the footsteps of her son Ronnie’s father, Ike Turner.
Afida Turner, who was married to Ronnie in 2007 until her death in 2022, shared in an interview with The Daily Mail that the “Private Dancer” singer said, “Sometimes, ‘You don’t want to stay with her’. He will be like his father.’”
Ike, who died of a drug overdose at the age of 76 in 2007, physically and verbally abused Tina during their 14-year relationship.
In his memoir, “I, Tina,” an eight-time Grammy-winning memoir, he wrote that Ike was abusive and random throughout their marriage, even attempting suicide by overdosing on Valium pills in 1968.
French-born Afida, who is also a singer, admitted that Ronnie exhibited disturbing behavior at the beginning of their relationship.
He explained to Ronnie, “He was like his father at first, but he was doing so well after that,” noting that he told Ronnie that he wouldn’t stay with him if he continued.
“He went to great lengths to keep me in his hands,” he continued. “It was very difficult in the beginning because I wasn’t willing to stay with him.”
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Afida said that Ronnie, who has a history of drug-related arrests, was “a heavy drinker” when she first met him, but “made him stop drinking and go to the gym”, adding that he was “in very good shape”.
Sadly, Ronnie died from complications of colon cancer months before his mother passed away. He was 62 years old.
In addition to adopting the two sons of “What’s Got to Do With It” singer Ike, he also had another son, Craig, from a previous relationship with musician Raymond Hill when he was just 18 years old.
Tragically, Craig died in 2018 as a result of suicide, which Tina describes as “his saddest moment as a mother”.
“She was 59 when she died so tragically, but she will always be my baby,” she said in the 2021 documentary “Tina”.
He also theorized that Craig was “alone” when he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Studio City, California.
Afida finds solace in the thought of Tina reuniting with her sons.
“Tina Turner will be with us forever,” he said. “Rest in peace with your two sons, Ron and Craig. I love you all.”
The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll died earlier this week at the age of 83 of “natural causes”.