"Even when it's time to leave and go to another planet, I'm excited about it because I'm curious."
Tina Turner was not afraid of death. Although the queen of rock 'n' roll passed away at the age of 83 on Wednesday, May 24 after a long illness, she considered mortality a part of her life's "journey."
In 2008, the then 68-year-old Tina Turner spoke with Oprah Winfrey about her life, her legacy, and her fascination with age, even death.
"I have to say I welcome it with open arms," Tina Turner said when asked how she felt about growing up.
“My life as an old man is much better than the one I had when I was young. Wisdom, the way I think. My attitude towards things,” he explained.
“Really – there's a change when you're still healthy and still looking good, your perspective on everything changes. You are really happy. You don't mind being 68 years old. This number means nothing," he stressed.
Tina Turner recalled this conversation again in another meeting with Oprah Winfrey in 2013, where she reiterated her comments, adding that she does not regret anything she said.
"Not even about death. Not for any of that. All this – I've been through it,” he said.
“I'm at a stage where – you can get emotional when you start talking about death. I was able to get to that stage and say, "Even when the time comes, to leave and go to another planet – I'm excited about that because I'm curious." What happens next? No one can tell you,” he continued.
“Because no one has returned. I'm not excited to die, but I won't regret anything when my time comes. I did what I came here to do. Now is the pleasure," he added.
Tina Turner, who had just married her second husband Erwin Bach at the time, also told Oprah Winfrey that she had now found happiness and contentment with her life unlike what she had experienced in her younger years.
"It's a journey. You are born, you take the journey and then you leave the journey," said the legendary singer.
“How you manage the journey is very, very important. I stayed on the right track. I stayed on the right course. Now, because I stayed on track – I had one wish,” he continued.
"My wish was to get to where I am today — in this state of mind, this physique, this health, it's a happiness I never knew happiness was," he said.
Tina Turner has passed away after a long illness at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, her representative announced.
The unpleasant news was also confirmed with a post on Tina Turner's official Instagram account.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her undying passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow," it says.
"Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all with her greatest work: her music. Our deepest condolences go out to her family. Tina, we will miss you so much,” the post adds.
