Meet Tina Turner’s Kids—How They Followed The Footsteps Of Their Famous Parents

Craig Turner

Born: August 1958

Died: July 4, 2018

Craig Turner was Tina Turner’s oldest son. His father was Ike Sr.’s saxophonist Raymond Hill and she had her first child when she was 18 years old. After Tina started seeing Ike Sr., the two adopted Craig and raised him together. Tina recounted how her oldest would react when Ike Sr. domestically abused her. “Ike’s children never reacted, but my oldest son, Craig, was a very emotional kid,” Tina told Oprah Winfrey in 2005. “He’d always look down in sadness. One day when Ike was fighting me, Craig knocked on the door and said, ‘Mother, are you all right?’”

Craig became a real estate agent and served in the Navy (he had an honorable discharge). In 2018, Craig died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Tina spread his ashes later in the month and posted on her Twitter, “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.”

Tina reflected on her son’s life in a talk with Oprah Winfrey. “First of all, I didn’t believe it, because me and Craig’s last talks were, ‘Mother, I’m so happy, I’m really happy now,’ ” she told Winfrey. “The very last [conversation], he said, ‘Hi Mother, I just want to hear your voice and that laugh.’ That one stuck out because he had never said that. I think that was his goodbye to me.” 

She also told CBS News that she wants to focus on the good parts of Craig’s life. “I think Craig was lonely, that’s what I think really got him more than anything else.” She added, “I have pictures all around of him smiling, and I think I’m sensing that he’s in a good place. I really do.”

Ike Turner Jr.

Born: 1958

Ike Turner Jr. was born to Ike Turner Sr. and Lorraine Taylor. The “What’s Love Got To Do With It” singer adopted him when she entered a relationship with Ike Sr. Ike Jr. ended up following the careers of his parents by working in the recording studio. On his relationship with Tina, he told Daily Mail, “Tina raised me from the age of two. She’s the only mother I’ve ever known, but I haven’t talked to my mother since God knows when – probably around 2000. I don’t think any of my brothers have talked to her in a long time either.” He then added that his mother didn’t talk to him or his brothers because “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.”

He elaborated more, “We were raised by housekeepers because my mother and father were gone 11 months out of a year. My father took me out of school at 13. I ended up running his recording studio, plus going on the road with them. They made a lot of money on tour and my father used to make me count it until my hands were grey.” 

Michael Turner

Born: 1959

Michael Turner is Ike Turner Sr. and Lorraine Taylor’s second child together. Via People, he struggled after Ike and Tina’s divorce. Ike Jr. recalled to Spin in 1985. “Michael wanted my mother and father to get back together, and the next thing knew he was in the hospital. He was hurt by their being apart.”

“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,” hetold the Sunday Mercury. “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 an interview with Daily Mail, Ike Jr. revealed his brother’s condition. ‘Michael is in a convalescent home in Southern California and needs medical support. I’ve been to see him quite a few times. He’s doing great.’ When he was asked if Tina visited him, Ike responded, ‘No. All she does is send him money.’

Ronald “Ronnie” Turner

Born: 1960

Died: December 22, 2022

Ronald Turner was Tina and Ike Sr.’s only child together. Tina revealed to TV Week in 1989 that her son was given a lot of opportunities.”He was put through private schools and given allowances and clothes and everything you can give a kid,” she said. “But Ronnie was determined to be self-destructive. You have to draw the line. I keep an eye on him.” 

In his adulthood, Tina had to set boundaries with her son according to Rolling Stone in 1985. “California wasn’t good for him; he was very influenced by drugs and didn’t want to go back there because of that reason. I cut him off financially, but I always had a string to find out what was going on and to get money there to help him if he needed it. Finally, he’s on his own two feet.”

He had a cameo in the biopic about his parents What’s Love Got To Do With It and played bass in a band called Manufactured Punk. He had two kids and married fellow musician Afida Turner In 2022, Ronnie died of colon cancer. His mom gave tribute in an Instagram post, “Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) for confidential support.