Tina Turner No Longer An American Citizen, Gives Up US Passport To Become Swiss Citizen

Tina Turner was born Anne Mae Bullock in Tennessee in 1939 but has been living in Switzerland for more than two decades. On Friday, the singer announced she will be giving up her American passport to become a Swiss citizen.

Turner's career has spanned more than 50 years, nine studio albums and several hits including “What's Love Got to Do With It,” “Private Dancer,” “Simply the Best” and “We Don't Need Another Hero.” Turner initially found success as a duo with her ex-husband, Ike Turner. The relationship was abusive and later documented in the movie “What's Love Got to Do With It.” After leaving Ike, Turner began a successful solo career that spanned four decades.

While Turner spent the majority of her life in America, she has been living in Kuesnacht, a Zurich suburb in Switzerland, since the 1990s, according to the Associated Press. The country has granted Turner Swiss citizenship, but that will need to be ratified by state and federal officials before she can officially become a citizen.

Speaking to Blick, a German-language Swiss daily newspaper, Turner said, “I'm very happy in Switzerland, and I feel at home here,” reports Agence France-Presse. Turner has passed an interview and a civics test, which focuses on how the country is governed, federal organizations and laws. During her time in Switzerland, Turner has learned German and currently lives with her partner, Erwin Bach.

As part of her new Swiss citizenship, Turner must give up her American citizenship and her passport. Jo Matherne, Mayor of Brownsville, Tenn., which is located in the same county as Tina's birthplace of Nutbush, said, “Tina Turner -- as she has gotten worldwide fame -- has never forgotten her roots,” Fox News reports. Mayor Matherne said she has been in contact with Tuner's representatives to discuss several projects in Brownsville.