In the serene Swiss village of Küsnacht, the late music icon Tina Turner spent her final years leading a quiet, humble life that endeared her to the locals. Having settled in Küsnacht with her German husband Erwin Bach in 1995, the famed singer lived a modest existence, one marked by strolls through the quaint streets and shopping trips to the local stores.
Turner, known to the world as the Queen of Rock n' Roll, won the hearts of her Swiss neighbors with her friendliness and modesty. "She had a butler, but she preferred to shop personally with Erwin," shared Benny Lang, a local butcher, who mentioned their frequent visits to Moreira Gourmet House, known for its smoked salmon and white truffles.
Adapting to her new home, Turner learned German to become a Swiss citizen, even picking up a distinct Swiss dialect along the way. Her local activities extended beyond shopping, with regular yoga classes in a public park nearby her mansion and peaceful moments spent by the park's waters. As a neighbor shared, Turner never hesitated to greet fellow villagers in Swiss-German.
Arzu Oezoguz, an assistant at a local clothing store, fondly recalls Turner's visits. "She was very modest... not conceited," Oezoguz said. Turner had a penchant for Italian designer shoes and would often purchase cashmere sweaters for her husband.
However, the legendary singer's final years were tinged with sorrow. Turner's sons, Ronnie and Craig, predeceased her — Craig through suicide and Ronnie succumbing to colon cancer. This tragic loss reportedly left Turner grieving deeply. As her daughter-in-law, Afida, remarked, "If you lose a child, or a loved one, you are going to cry every morning and every night."
Post Turner's demise, her opulent Swiss chateau was sold to businesswoman Ines Kaindl-Benes for an estimated $86 million in cash. This sprawling property, including a four-story main building, a two-story boathouse, and expansive gardens spread over 1350 acres, was purchased as an investment. Despite the change in ownership, Turner's husband Erwin is reportedly not required to vacate the premises.
Tina Turner's legacy endures not just in her iconic music, but also in the hearts of her Swiss neighbors who remember her for her modesty, kindness, and the warmth she brought to their small village.