At 63, Tina Turner’s Son FINALLY OPENS UP His Father’s MESSY Relationship With His Mom | HO
At 63, Tina Turner’s eldest son, Craig Turner, finally opened up about the complex and tumultuous relationship between his parents, shedding light on the profound impact it had on his life and his mother’s iconic journey. Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, became a global sensation as the Queen of Rock and Roll, but her personal life, especially her marriage to Ike Turner, was marred by abuse, violence, and control. Craig, the son of Tina Turner and saxophonist Raymond Hill, was witness to much of the emotional and physical turmoil that defined his mother’s relationship with Ike, his stepfather.
Craig Turner was just a child when Tina’s relationship with Ike Turner began. As he revealed in an emotional interview, he witnessed firsthand the abuse that his mother endured. From a young age, he understood that his home life was far from normal, but as a child, there was little he could do to help his mother. Craig spoke about the difficulty of watching his mother suffer in silence, knowing that she was trapped in an abusive marriage with little chance of escape.
He described his childhood as chaotic, with Ike’s erratic behavior and violent temper dominating the household. Despite the couple’s success on stage as the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, the family’s personal life was a stark contrast. Craig recalled moments of fear and helplessness, often retreating to his room while his mother endured physical and verbal abuse behind closed doors.
Craig’s revelations about his childhood reflect the deep scars left by witnessing such traumatic experiences. He admitted that for years he struggled with the emotional weight of what he had seen. “Ike was a very complicated man,” Craig said in the interview, reflecting on his stepfather’s volatile personality. Ike’s substance abuse and controlling behavior further intensified the volatile atmosphere at home. Craig recounted moments when he would see his mother with bruises or after a particularly violent argument, and despite her attempts to shield him and his younger siblings from the worst of it, the trauma was impossible to avoid.
The emotional impact of witnessing such trauma as a child carried into Craig’s adulthood. He described feeling anger and frustration at being unable to protect his mother, emotions that he would carry with him long after he moved out of the household. “My mother went through so much, and I felt powerless,” he said, expressing his admiration for her strength in ultimately leaving Ike and rebuilding her life.
One of the most profound moments of Tina Turner’s life, both personally and professionally, was her decision to leave Ike in 1976. Craig, who was in his teens at the time, reflected on how her departure from Ike was not just a turning point for her but for the entire family. In the years leading up to her decision to leave, Craig noticed a change in his mother. “She became more determined, more focused on her own future,” he said.
Craig shared that the family had reached a breaking point. Tina’s escape from Ike, leaving behind nearly everything except her stage name and her children, was an act of courage that left a lasting impression on Craig. He remembered how they fled with very little, starting over with almost no money or resources, but with a newfound sense of freedom. “It wasn’t just about leaving the abuse behind,” Craig said, “It was about finding peace and happiness for herself and for us.”
Craig Turner’s emotional scars ran deep, and he revealed that he struggled with depression and feelings of guilt as he grew older. For many years, he avoided discussing his childhood experiences, burying the pain in an attempt to move on with his life. “For a long time, I didn’t want to talk about it,” he admitted, explaining that his relationship with his own identity and sense of self-worth was complicated by the trauma he experienced.
The burden of being the son of such an iconic figure also weighed heavily on him. While Tina Turner was admired and loved by millions around the world, Craig carried the difficult memories of her past. He struggled to reconcile the public image of his mother with the reality of their family life during the years of her marriage to Ike.
In recent years, Craig has found a sense of closure by speaking openly about his experiences and his mother’s resilience. “She went through hell and came out stronger,” he said with pride. He acknowledged that Tina Turner’s ability to not only survive but to thrive after such a tumultuous and abusive relationship served as an inspiration not just to him, but to millions of people around the world.
Tina Turner’s openness about her abuse in later years, particularly in her autobiography “I, Tina” and in interviews, also helped Craig come to terms with his own trauma. He realized that his mother’s story was not just one of suffering, but of triumph and empowerment. “She took control of her life, and in doing so, she gave me and my brothers the strength to do the same,” Craig reflected.
When discussing Ike Turner, Craig admitted that his feelings are complicated. On one hand, he recognizes Ike’s immense contributions to music, especially his role in discovering and nurturing Tina’s talent. But on the other hand, Ike’s abusive behavior cast a long shadow over their lives. “Ike was a musical genius, but he was also deeply flawed,” Craig said, acknowledging the difficulty of separating the artist from the abuser.
Craig emphasized that while his mother eventually forgave Ike, he himself struggled with that same forgiveness. “I don’t hate him, but I can’t forget what he put her through,” he said. Tina Turner, in her later years, spoke about how she had made peace with her past, even as she distanced herself from it. Her ability to forgive, despite everything she endured, was something Craig admired but found difficult to emulate.
Today, Craig Turner lives with the legacy of both his mother’s strength and his stepfather’s abuses. He finds solace in the fact that Tina Turner was able to rise above her suffering, building a career that spanned decades and creating a life filled with love, especially with her second husband, Erwin Bach. “She found happiness in the end, and that’s what matters most to me,” Craig said.
Reflecting on his own journey, Craig Turner hopes that by sharing his story, he can help others who have experienced similar trauma. “It’s important to speak out, to not stay silent,” he urged. In speaking about his parents, Craig not only honors his mother’s legacy but also sheds light on the lasting impact that domestic abuse has on families, even years after the abuse has ended.
Craig’s revelations provide a deeper understanding of Tina Turner’s life, not just as a global superstar but as a woman who overcame unimaginable hardships to become a symbol of resilience and empowerment.
