Anna Mae Bullock, who would eventually go by the name Tina Turner, was born on November 26, 1939, in Brownsville, Tennessee. Music ran in her family and she enjoyed singing in the choir at Spring Hill Baptist Church. At the age of 11, her mother unexpectedly abandoned her family and the family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Despite being a tomboy, Anna looked for any opportunity to socialize and joined the girls' basketball team and cheerleading squad. After graduating in 1958, she worked as a nurse's aide at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Ike Turner discovered Anna Bullock and gave her the stage persona and trademarked the name Tina, allowing him to replace her if needed, foreshadowing their relationship and future.
Tina and Ike were married in 1962 in Tijuana, Mexico, and Tina received multiple black eyes from Ike. Despite the abuse, she forgave him and filed for divorce 16 years later. She was out of the relationship for good.