The world mourns the loss of legendary singer Tina Turner, whose departure on Wednesday (5/24/2023) has left her husband, Erwin Bach, deeply saddened. Their love story spanned 27 years, during which Turner and Bach shared a profound bond.
Over the course of a decade, Tina Turner and Erwin Bach built a strong and enduring marriage that lasted until the Queen of Rock and Roll took her final breath at the age of 83.
Initially, Turner and Bach kept their romantic relationship hidden from the public eye for many years. However, their love story was unveiled in the HBO documentary released in 2021.
In her book titled “Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good,” Tina Turner opened up about her husband, describing him as her true love.
“We allowed each other freedom and space to be individuals while still being a couple. Erwin, who possesses an innate strength, was never intimidated by my career, talent, or fame. He showed me that true love doesn’t require me to dim my light so he can shine. Instead, we are each other’s guiding light in life, and together we strive to shine as brightly as possible,” she beautifully expressed.
Now, let’s delve into the background of Erwin Bach, the man who stood beside Tina Turner for the past decade. Here is a compilation of information from various sources.
Erwin Bach – Love at First Sight with Tina Turner
Erwin Bach, as an executive producer at the EMI label, collaborated with renowned artists such as Queen, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, and Radiohead.
EMI also played a significant role in distributing Tina Turner’s music worldwide.
The first encounter between Erwin Bach and Tina Turner took place in 1985 at Dusseldorf Airport in Germany. Bach, representing his label, was tasked with picking up the singer after her concert. It was during this initial meeting that the couple experienced love at first sight.
“He was incredibly handsome. My heart was pounding, a sign that our souls had connected, and my hands were shaking,” Tina recalled in the documentary.
Their romantic relationship began that same year, and Tina Turner described falling in love with Erwin Bach as an experience that pushed her beyond her comfort zone and taught her to embrace life’s unexpected gifts.
Erwin Bach: 17 Years Younger than Tina Turner
There was a notable age difference between Tina Turner and Erwin Bach, with Bach being 17 years younger. When they first met, Bach was 30 years old, while Turner was 47.
Throughout their years together, they faced criticism due to this age gap. Turner addressed the issue in her memoir, “My Love Story,” writing, “Considering the duration of our relationship, it’s incredible that some people still believe Erwin married me for my money and fame. What else would a younger man want with an older woman? Erwin always brushed off those rumors.”
Erwin Bach’s Multiple Marriage Proposals to Tina Turner
During an interview on Oprah’s Next Chapter, Erwin Bach revealed that he proposed to Tina Turner twice when she turned 50.
“I wanted to demonstrate my commitment to Tina. I believed that when a woman reaches the age of 50, she should receive a commitment from her partner. I was committed, and I wanted to show it, so I got down on one knee. It was something I had never done before in my life, as I had never been married. And I had my ring ready… I had everything prepared,” Erwin shared.
Donating His Kidney to His Wife
Erwin Bach’s love for Tina Turner extended beyond the ordinary. When Turner faced a diagnosis of total kidney failure, he selflessly donated one of his kidneys to save her life.
The transplant surgery took place in April 2017 and was mostly successful, although Turner still experienced mild symptoms.
“In the midst of my guilt and self-blame, I learned something remarkable about Erwin. He never reproached me for my mistakes. Instead, he remained loyal, kind-hearted, understanding, and determined to help me navigate through this life-and-death situation,” Tina Turner fondly recalled.
The bond between Tina Turner and Erwin Bach serves as a testament to true love, defying societal expectations and demonstrating the power of unwavering support and devotion. As the world mourns the loss of Tina Turner, her remarkable journey with Erwin Bach remains an inspiring tale of love and companionship that will forever be cherished.
