Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey reflect on Tina Turner’s legacy: “She just kept coming back”
The legendary queen of rock ‘n’ roll, Tina Turner, who mesmerized audiences with her powerful voice and electrifying performances, died on Wednesday at the age of 83.
Known for hits like “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and “Proud Mary,” Turner won eight Grammy Awards over her storied career and left behind a lasting legacy that resonates across generations.
Oprah Winfrey and “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King were traveling together in Italy when they learned of Turner’s death. The sudden loss deeply affected them both, with Winfrey describing it as “a blow to everyone.”
Speaking about Turner’s ill health, Winfrey revealed that during their encounter in 2019, during a visit to the hospital, Turner had expressed his readiness to leave this world.
“I definitely knew he was sick, but you know I saw him in 2019 and went to the hospital to visit him in 2019. And he told me then that he was actually ready. Ready to go with. To leave the planet,” Winfrey said. “And I hoped that would be the last time I saw him.”
Despite Turner’s health challenges in recent years, she continues to inspire through her resilience. Her husband, Aaron Bach, played an important role in her journey, providing unwavering support during several health crises.
“I mean, she literally wished she was alive and she’s going through, you know, one health crisis after another,” Winfrey said.
“She just kept coming back,” King added.
Reflecting on the global impact of Turner’s music, King emphasized the profound impact the iconic artist had on audiences around the world.
“We’ve been playing Tina’s songs last night and this morning. You just keep thinking about who she was, how badass she was, all that she managed, and still came out on the other side saying He is not bitter.” joint king.
For Winfrey, Turner’s importance in her life goes beyond praise. Their friendship allowed Winfrey to experience the transformative power of Turner’s presence. From following him on tour to sharing moments of pure happiness, Winfrey cherishes the memories they’ve created together.
“It’s incredible when you meet someone you’ve admired for a long time, and they not only live up to what you hope they’ll be, but they go above and beyond.” , go above and beyond. And that’s what Tina was,” Winfrey said.