Meet Ike Turner’s Children: Ronnie, Ike Jr., Michael, Mia, Twanna Turner Melby, and Linda Trippeter

Izear Luster “Ike” Turner Jr., a trailblazing musician and rock and roll pioneer, was born on November 5, 1931, in Clarksdale, Mississippi—a town deeply rooted in African-American music and culture, particularly the blues.

His parents, Beatrice Cushenberry and Izear Luster Turner Sr., raised him in a modest working-class household. His father, a Baptist minister, suffered a tragic fate when he was brutally beaten by a white mob, leaving him incapacitated and ultimately leading to his untimely death. This early trauma profoundly shaped Ike’s resilience and outlook on life.

Turner had one known sibling, a sister named Ethel May Turner, though little is publicly documented about her life. Growing up in the segregated South, Ike’s formal education was limited, but his true schooling came from the vibrant blues scene around him.

He taught himself to play piano and guitar, drawing inspiration from legendary musicians like Pinetop Perkins and immersing himself in the juke joint culture of Clarksdale. His early break came as a DJ at local radio station WROX, where he further refined his musical ear.

Beyond his groundbreaking work in music—most notably with hits like Rocket 88 and his influential partnership with Tina Turner—Ike Turner’s personal life was complex, marked by multiple marriages and a large family.

Among his known children are Ronnie Turner, Ike Turner Jr., Michael Turner, Mia Turner, Twanna Turner Melby, and Linda Trippeter. Despite his controversial legacy, Ike’s impact on music remains undeniable, cementing his place as one of the genre’s most influential figures.

Ronnie Turner

Born Ronald Renelle Turner on October 27, 1960, in Los Angeles, California, Ronnie was the only biological child of Ike Turner and Tina Turner, who were married from 1962 to 1978.

Despite being raised in the shadow of two musical giants, Ronnie carved his own path as a musician and actor. After their divorce, he played bass guitar in both his mother’s and father’s bands and appeared in the 1993 film What’s Love Got to Do With It, a biographical drama about his mother’s life.

Ronnie also pursued a career in real estate and lived a relatively private life with his wife, French-American singer Afida Turner, whom he married in 2007. Tragically, Ronnie passed away in December 2022 due to complications from colon cancer, leaving behind a legacy tied to his parents’ musical heritage.

Ike Turner Jr.

Ike Turner Jr., born in 1958, is Ike Turner’s son with Lorraine Taylor, Ike’s partner before his marriage to Tina. Raised by Ike and Tina after Lorraine left the family, Ike Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as a musician.

He played multiple instruments from a young age and worked as a sound engineer for Tina Turner, contributing to her tours. In 1987, he released his debut album, Hard Labor, and later earned a Grammy in 2006 for his work on Ike Turner’s album Risin’ With The Blues.

Ike Jr. founded his band, The Love Thang, in 2017. Preferring to stay out of the spotlight, he has no public social media presence but remains a respected figure in the music world.

Michael Turner

Michael Turner, born in 1960, is another son of Ike Turner and Lorraine Taylor. Like his brother Ike Jr., he was raised by Ike and Tina after their mother’s departure.

Michael’s life has been less documented than his siblings, and he has largely stayed out of the public eye. Reports suggest he faced personal challenges, including health issues, but specific details about his career or current status remain scarce.

His connection to the Turner family underscores the complexities of Ike’s relationships and the varying degrees of visibility among his children.

Mia Turner

Mia Turner, born in 1969 to Ike Turner and Margaret Ann Thomas, an Ikette and backup singer in his band, grew up with a unique perspective on her father’s life.

Raised partly by her grandmother in Bakersfield, California, and partly with Ike, Tina, and her half-siblings in Los Angeles, Mia has fond memories of a lively household filled with music and laughter. She gained attention in 1993 after defending Ike against portrayals in What’s Love Got to Do With It, asserting that allegations of rape against Tina were exaggerated or fictionalized.

Now living in Atlanta with her husband and two sons, Mia maintains a low profile but cherishes her childhood experiences with her extended family.

Twanna Turner Melby

Twanna Turner Melby, born in 1959, is Ike Turner’s daughter with Pat Richard, a woman he met during his time in St. Louis. Ike only discovered Twanna’s existence later in life, and she played a significant role by taking him into her home after his release from prison in 1991.

Twanna’s mother worked as a backup singer for Ike, and her early years were spent enjoying time at her grandmother’s house in Bakersfield, where she learned piano and took dance lessons. Like many of Ike’s children, Twanna has kept her personal life private, but supporting her father in his later years highlights a bond that transcended his earlier absence from her life.

Linda Trippeter

Linda Trippeter, born in 1949, is often cited as Ike Turner’s eldest daughter, though her parentage has been debated. Her mother, Velma Davis, married Ike in 1950, and Linda was raised as his daughter.

However, in his autobiography Takin’ Back My Name, Ike denied being her biological father, claiming Velma was pregnant when they met. Despite this, Linda maintained a connection to the Turner family and is recognized as part of Ike’s lineage.

Little is known about her professional life or personal endeavors, as she has chosen to live away from the media spotlight. She embodies quiet resilience amid her father’s larger-than-life persona.