In a recent interview, the iconic Tina Turner took her viewers back to a gruesome time in her life…the time when she risked life and limb escaping ex-husband, Ike Turner, in the dead of night. They were one of the biggest acts of the 1960’s. However, as you’re aware — behind closed doors — it was a whole ‘nother story. They shared an incredibly vicious relationship.
According to People, after enduring years of physical and mental torture, Tina Turner fled in 1976 with only a Mobil card and 36 cents in her pocket.
***You might remember that infamous scene in the 1993 classic film, “What’s Love Got to Do with It”.***
THE TALK
Tina Turner on the Jonathan Ross Show this saturday. Don't miss it!
@LoveTinaTurner @TinaTheMusical @jonathanross pic.twitter.com/iva7VM4Ijb— Tina Turner Online (@TinaTurnerNL) October 26, 2017
During an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, a London-based late night talk show, Tina opened up about what actually happened that night. On a side note, we also couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Tina is at 77 years young! She mentioned as follows:
“I walked out without anything and had to make it on my own for my family and everyone, so I just went back to work for myself. It was very difficult and dangerous because Ike was a violent person, and at that point, he was on drugs and very insecure. I had no money. I had no place to go.”
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical opens in Spring 2018 at the Aldwych Theatre! https://t.co/yGyz1r8f5s pic.twitter.com/iAKxEgb3g7
— Box Office (@boxofficeuk) October 17, 2017
***And as you can see, her success is still going strong.***
Tony nominee Adrienne Warren to play title role in 'Tina,' the Tina Turner bio-musical bowing in London next spring https://t.co/WeIYVinGHG pic.twitter.com/ufVjJmzu5v
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 17, 2017
THE ESCAPE
According to Tina, she escaped while they were on tour and staying at the Statler Hilton in Dallas, Texas.
“I just took a chance,” notes Turner. “I said, ‘The way out is through the door’ and while he was on one of his sleeping times, I just left the hotel, went out the kitchen way and down to the freeway.”
And if you remember the famous scene portrayed by Angela Bassett, it shows her sprinting across the highway with a busted up face, in search of safety.
Angela Bassett as Tina Turner- What's Love Got to do With It movie pic.twitter.com/hTHGyHUm
— To Learn and To Grow (@d_matloga) June 29, 2012
Tina confirmed that fight actually happened like just as it was portrayed in the film. According to People, Tina also had this to say:
“I didn’t measure the speed of a car. I was running across the freeway and this big truck was coming and it [beeped its horn]. It felt like it was over me and I thought, ‘Well, I won’t try that again.'”
Well, now 77-year-old Tina doesn’t regret making that choice. According to her, it was simply time to stand up and say enough was enough. “You just get fed up and you say, ‘Life is not worth living if I’m going to stay in this situation’,” Tina states.
Why She Stayed In The Brutal Relationship
Tina was loyal to Ike and took a lot of hits (literally). The source mentions that Tina admits staying around because she wanted to help Ike.
https://twitter.com/RockZaSvobodu/status/915850147933954048
After Ike told her about his life and his past career difficulties, she wanted to help him, just as he would help her. Likewise, she promised never to leave him. “I actually stayed because of that promise,” Tina notes.
However, enough’s enough at some point. And for Tina, once that point was reached, she knew it was time to run like hell away from Ike. And for that, she lives to tell the story.
ILOSM fam,’ be sure to hit us up on Facebook to share your thoughts with us on Tina Turner’s insight into the night she escaped Ike’s wrath.
[Featured Photo via @Rtreatwilliams /Twitter]
