ZURICH, Switzerland – Tina Turner, the legendary “Proud Mary” performer whose powerful voice became an anthem for strength and resilience, passed away last week at 83. While globally celebrated for her stellar contributions to R&B and rock, less known was the driving force behind Turner’s tenacity: her deeply held faith in Buddhism.
Turner, who died at her home in Küsnacht, near Zurich, Switzerland, credited Buddhism for providing the fortitude to exit an abusive relationship with Ike Turner in 1976.
Her commitment to daily Buddhist chants—a practice she maintained until her death—was so profound that she even chanted on Larry King’s CNN show in 1997.
In the wake of her passing, fans have flooded social media with tributes, many highlighting how Turner’s faith influenced their lives. Her devotion to Buddhism inspired others to explore the religion, and her personal narrative of liberation from an abusive situation offered a beacon of hope for others in similar circumstances.
“Tina Turner is the reason I found Buddhism,” Jessica N. Pabón, a professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at SUNY New Paltz in New York, posted on Twitter.
Similarly, former journalist Laura Keeney credited Turner with leading her to Buddhism and helping her find the strength to leave an abusive relationship.
Turner was introduced to Buddhism in the early 1970s through Valerie Bishop, a member of the Soka Gakkai community—a form of Nichiren Buddhism. Bishop was brought to the recording studio one day by Ike Turner, according to Taro Gold, co-author of Turner’s 2020 spiritual memoir, “Happiness Becomes You”.
Transitioning from her Baptist roots, Turner adopted the Nichiren Buddhist chant “nam-myoho-renge-kyo,” representing devotion to the mystic law of cause and effect. In the 2021 HBO documentary “Tina”, Turner said that chanting this prayer brought her liberation and self-assurance, aiding her in overcoming her fear of Ike Turner.
“Buddhism literally saved my life,” Turner admitted in a 2020 interview with USA Today, referring to a turning point shortly after she had attempted suicide by overdosing on Valium.
Despite initial struggles in reigniting her career post-Ike Turner, her faith and relentless performing “kept her sane,” according to T.J. Martin, co-director of “Tina.”
Turner’s resurgence in 1984 with her solo album “Private Dancer” marked the start of an impressive second act that lasted until her final solo album, “Twenty Four Seven,” released in 1999.
During her final decade, Turner lent her voice to the Beyond Music project, merging Christian and Buddhist chants in a series of spiritual music albums.
Reflecting on her work with the group in a 2011 interview, she said, “I hope the whole world will hear a prayer that brought me this far, and brought me to being a very happy person.”
As tributes continue to pour in, Turner’s legacy as an R&B and rock icon endures, her music forever intertwined with the Buddhist faith that buoyed her extraordinary life and career.
