Cher Remembers Final Visit With Tina Turner And Cherishes Last Gift From The Icon

May 30, 2023

Renowned singer and actress Cher opened up about her final visit with the late music legend Tina Turner just before her death in May 2023 at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland. The two iconic performers, who dominated the music industry for over seven decades, developed a deep friendship that started with her friend's tumultuous marriage to Ike Turner. Cher, determined to maintain their bond, made it a point to visit her ailing friend in recent years.

Speaking on "The Beat with Ari Melber" on May 25, 2023, Cher said that she consciously wanted to pour time into her friendship with Tina so she would know that she has not been forgotten. Despite her deteriorating health, Tina made sure to keep her spirits high during these visits, finding joy in the company of her friends. 

On their last meeting before Tina's death on May 24, 2023, Cher was pleasantly surprised when Tina presented her with a meaningful gift. As fashion enthusiasts who made their mark on the industry, the gift resonated deeply with their shared history.

In the 1960s, Cher and Tina both rose to stardom as a musical duo with their husbands. Cher married Sonny Bono in 1964 and churned out chart-topping hits like "Baby Don't Go" and "I Got You Babe." Tina had Ike, whom she married in 1962, and went on to produce hits like "Proud Mary" and "River Deep Mountain High." 

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2007, Cher and Tina said that they met for the first time at a studio session, and the former was surprised to learn that Tina, then in her early 20s, had a gentle nature about her. Cher, then in her late teens, was the complete opposite, but they became fast friends. Read on to learn more.

Tina Turner was one of our time's most recognized and celebrated music artists, and we are sure that her five-decades-long, highly successful career will be remembered for years to come as well. Though she had a prodigious musical career, she also had to battle a lot of hardships and difficulties in her life, and the path to happiness had not been easy. 

However, she found a peaceful pairing with her husband, Erwin Bach, with whom she lived in Switzerland. The pair had been together for over two decades before they tied the knot in 2013 when Tina was 73 and Bach was 57. Their age difference did nothing to deter them from having a blissful relationship. Together, they faced the joys and grief of life hand in hand and seemed very much in love through all stages of their relationship. They got together in 1986 and stayed together until Tina's death on May 24, 2023.

After the icon's death, tributes poured in from celebrities paying their respects to Tina. Oprah Winfrey posted a throwback video of her and Tina dancing together.

Bette Midler tweeted, "Our beloved #TinaTurner has died. From #Nutbush to the top, she was an absolutely brilliant performer and inspiration to us all. May flights of angels sing her to her rest, but if I know Tina, she is singing lead."

Elton John shared, "We have lost one of the word's most exciting and electric performers. A total legend on record and on stage. She was untouchable."

Cher also weighed in on her last moments with Tina. 

In 1975, Tina went to "The Cher Show" so they could do a duet of "Shame Shame Shame." After Tina's divorce in 1976, she returned to the stage with her friend to perform "Makin' Music is My Business." 

"She gave me a pair of shoes the last time I saw her," Cher revealed to Melber about Tina's last gift. "What kind of shoes? Tina Turner shoes!" 

The gift, a high-heeled pair that Tina effortlessly wore, serves as a cherished memento of their lasting friendship. Cher also reflected on the visits she and their other friends had with the music icon, emphasizing the happiness and laughter that filled those moments. 

She didn't initially welcome visitors as her health declined. Despite Tina's severe illnesses, including kidney failure, a stroke, and intestinal cancer, she displayed resilience and enjoyed her time with loved ones. 

However, as their time together neared its end, Tina apparently confided in Cher, expressing her readiness for what lay ahead. 

"She told me once, she said, 'I'm really ready. I just don't want to put up with this anymore,'" Cher revealed, per Page Six.

Tina passed away on May 24 at the age of 83. Her marriage to husband Erwin Bach had lasted nearly a decade at the time of her death. As the music world mourns the loss of an icon, Cher's heartfelt recollection of their final moments together and the meaningful gift she received serves as a testament to their enduring friendship and the indomitable spirit of the Queen of Rock' n' Roll. May Tina Turner's legacy live on. 

Their life and careers may have paralleled each other, but what can you say about the legendary friendship between Cher and Tina Turner? Know a fan of these two stars? Pass this story along to them!