Who is Tina Turner’s widower Erwin Bach? The late singer lived in Switzerland with her much younger husband, a German Emi music exec who donated a kidney to her and stayed by her side until her death

May 31 , 2023

The love story between the late Tina Turner and Erwin Bach is unconventional but deeply moving. Photo: Getty Images

Tina Turner met Erwin Bach at the peak of her success when he picked her up from the airport, working as a music exec for European label Emi that’s behind the likes of Queen, Pink Floyd and Radiohead

The couple made headlines for their 17-year age gap, their wedding after 27 years together, and when Bach donated his kidney to Turner in 2017, saving her life

The world reeled when 1980s pop icon Tina Turner died last week at age 83 after a long struggle with illness.

Although best known for her long and influential musical career, her love life also made headlines – particularly her relationship with her abusive first husband, Ike Turner. A decade after leaving him though, the megastar found love again. This time, it was with someone who wasn’t afraid of her fame and who encouraged her to be the best version of herself. His name? Erwin Bach.

Bach, who is German, met the musician by chance at an airport pickup and until the legendary singer died on May 24, Bach was the man who supported her dreams and gave her the freedom she seemingly desired in a relationship.

Here’s what you need to know about the man who captured the heart of the legendary Tina Turner.

How Tina Turner and Erwin Bach met

It was love at first sight for Tina Turner when she met Erwin Bach. Photo: @ralph_morgenstern/Instagram

It was a chance meeting between the couple that first brought them together. In 1985, Emi sent Bach to meet the singer at an airport in Düsseldorf, Germany. In a 2021 HBO documentary called Tina, the lovebirds both spoke about the instant connection they felt. Turner and Bach started a romantic relationship soon after they met, with Turner commenting that she had made a conscious effort to listen to her heart.

The early days of Tina Turner and Erwin Bach’s relationship, when the singer’s fame was at its peak. Photo: Getty Images

“I left my comfort zone and made it a priority to get to know Erwin,” she added. It was Turner who pursued Bach, with Bach admitting that although there was a connection, he was working and distracted. According to Oprah Daily, when he heard she was interested, he decided to visit her and Tina boldly proclaimed: “When you come to LA, I want you to make love to me.”