Celebrity / Music

Tina Turner Grew Up Thinking Her Legs Made Her Look Like a ‘Little Pony’

Tina Turner shared the highs and lows of her career in an HBO documentary. Before the March 2021 film, she said she was insecure about her renowned legs.

by Elizabeth Randolph

Published on April 10, 2021

2 min read

Tina Turner paid millions of dollars to insure her legs

In 1957, Turner began performing across the U.S. Although she never wanted to become famous, the 81-year-old artist knew she had a gift. One night, Turner connected with Ike’s band, Kings of Rhythm. Eventually, she convinced him to let her join them on tour.

Five years later, Turner and Ike got married in Tijuana. During that time, they formed their group, the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Soon, the artists began topping the charts with their songs “A Fool in Love,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” and “Proud Mary.” However, Ike allegedly became abusive during the marriage. Additionally, the “Rocket 88” singer reportedly cheated on Turner multiple times.

After 16 years together, Turner divorced Ike in 1978. Several years later, she reinvented herself as a rock musician. Turner’s 1984 album, Private Dancer, included edgy hits such as “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” and “Show Some Respect.” The project earned three Grammy Awards that year. Although Turner’s music changed, her short, sequined dresses that flaunted her legs remained the same. At the height of the singer’s career, she paid a reported $3.2 million as insurance on her gams.

Why Tina Turner thought she looked like a ‘little pony’ as a child

During an interview with Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine, Turner and Winfrey discussed the “Back Where You Started” singer’s life. While speaking to her longtime friend, Turner admitted that she was uncomfortable with her appearance as a child.

“I always had long legs,” Turner said. “When I was young, I used to think, “Why do I look like a little pony?”

The artist also said she didn’t love herself until after she divorced Ike in her late thirties.

“I never put a lot of praise on myself because of my relationship with Ike,” she continued. “I was just happy when I started to like myself—when I divorced and took control of my life.”

How does Tina stay in shape?

Through the years, Turner seemingly embraced her body. In addition to insuring them, the “Steamy Windows” performer continued to show off the legs she once resentedTurner added more fiber and “good fats” to her diet as she got older. She also said she walks up and down the stairs in her Switzerland home, per Black Doctor. The singer moved to Switzerland in the 1990s with her second husband.

In addition to watching what she eats, Turner said letting go of negative moments has helped the singer thrive.

“I’m an American size 10, which I think in the UK is 14 – that has remained constant,” she explained. “The older you get, the more you realize it’s not what happens; it’s how you deal with it.”