Tina Turner pens emotional book detailing kidney failure and health issues

She’s one of the greatest musicians of all time but Tina Turner has revealed just how close she came to death following a series of major health problems.

Excerpts of her upcoming biography, My Love Story, cited by the Daily Mail, sees the 78-year-old singer telling fans about her health in recent years.

Tina wrote about how she started to notice changes in her otherwise healthy body in 2013 when she married second husband Erwin Bach. Three months after her wedding, Tina suffered a stroke, something she described as a “lightning bolt strike my head and right leg”.

She was forced to learn how to walk again after the stroke and she admitted it left her feeling miserable. If that wasn’t enough, she also experienced high blood pressure which impacted her kidneys so much that they were only functioning at 35 per cent.

Read more: A special look at the one and only Tina Turner

After ditching her medication for homeopathic remedies, doctors told the star she had effectively destroyed her kidneys. Tina explained that her body grew weaker and that she had to have part of her intestine removed due to cancer. Eventually, when her kidney function declined even further, she had no option but to go on dialysis or undergo a kidney transplant.

Not wanting to live on a machine, Tina explained her husband offered to donate one of his kidneys to her and that the transplant occurred last year.

The full story and more are set to appear in the new book, which is released on October 18.

“Tina Turner: My Love Story will chart the full, dramatic story of one of the most remarkable women in music history, celebrating Tina Turner’s 60th year in the industry,” publisher Penguin said. “Brimming with her trademark blend of strength, energy, heart and soul, My Love Story is a gripping, surprising memoir, as memorable and entertaining as any of her greatest hits.”

It’s been a rough time for the ‘Proud Mary’ songstress. Earlier this year, she was forced to say goodbye to her son after his tragic death from suicide.

The singer’s eldest son Craig Raymond Turner was found dead at the age of 59 in July from a gunshot wound. Devastated, Tina said her final farewell to her son and scattered his ashes off the coast of California.

Read more: ‘He’ll always be my baby’: Tina Turner scatters son’s ashes after suicide

Sharing a photo on social media at the time, the ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ songstress could be seen standing on the edge of a boat as she dropped a rose into the sea in memory of her son. Wrapped up in a grey coat, she looked down towards the water as family cradled her in their arms. She described it as the “saddest moment as a mother”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlukS7hBVEw/?taken-by=tinaturner

If you’re depressed or need someone to talk to, there are many 24/7 support lines available, including Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, MensLineAustralia on 1300 789 978 and Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Are you surprised to hear about Tina Turner’s health struggles? Is this something you’ve gone through?