Tina Turner becomes a Swiss citizen

(AFP) – 9 hours ago

GENEVA — Tina Turner, the US-born singer famed for hits such as "Private Dancer" and "What's Love Got to Do With It", has become a Swiss citizen, the Swiss newspaper Blick reported.

The 73-year-old retired entertainer, who has lived in Switzerland for nearly two decades, received her red Swiss passport with its distinctive white cross on it on Monday, the publication said.

Swiss media reported in January that Turner was to hand in her US passport when she got her Swiss one. She was quoted as saying that "I cannot imagine a better place to live" than in the European Alpine state, where privacy laws are strictly enforced.

Turner, who was born Anna Mae Bullock, lives in the picturesque town of Kuesnacht, on the shores of Lake Zurich in northern Switzerland. She had to learn German, pass a local civics test and interview to get her new citizenship.

She moved to Switzerland in 1995 when her longtime partner, German record executive Erwin Bach, was transferred here. The couple is expected to marry in a few months' time, Blick reported.

Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved.

Good on her. One day I'll be securing a second citizenship, too, God willing. I likely won't revoke my U.S. citizenship, however. I've a lot less to lose in taxes than Ms. Anna Mae.

[Edited 4/24/13 22:01pm]

Congrats Tina!

That's right, Ms. Tina! Enjoy your sunset years in relaxation, near cool balmy waters, with low crime, and not a care in the world

Küsnacht, SW

Tina's home on the French Riviera

That's what age 70+ will hopefully bring for all of us in our own small way...some serenity, leaving hustle & bustle of the rat race behind, and time alone in our gardens, wherever they may be....

Tina was smart in picking that city in Switzerland. You hardly get bothered by paparazzi. I think that was majorly the reason she settled there. But she can also escape to her other home in France. God bless her and Erwin.

[Edited 4/25/13 8:20am]

Timmy84 said:

Tina was smart in picking that city in Switzerland. You hardly get bothered by paparazzi. I think that was majorly the reason she settled there. But she can also escape to her other home in France. God bless her and Erwin.

[Edited 4/25/13 8:20am]

She's so world class, it makes sense she settled somewhere like that.

SuperSoulFighter said:

Then she was right on time. Switzerland just made a law to cut down the number of foreigners to be allowed in.

She would have made it regardless, because she is a wealthy woman and a cultural icon, without criminal incident to mar her reputation.

However, you are correct that many countries in Europe are getting stricter about their immigration policies, with the first criteria for entry and residence lying at the bottom line...money, and what you can do for them. Outside of political refugees(like those fleeing war) and students at top Universities, It's very much a "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" approach to residency in Europe. And she's held "residency" long enough doing her thing on a big scale to qualify for citizenship without any problem.

I´m surprised that she had to give up her American citizenship. Doesn´t Switzerland allow dual citizenship?

KoolEaze said:

I´m surprised that she had to give up her American citizenship. Doesn´t Switzerland allow dual citizenship?

Yeah they do. But I don't think she gave it up. That part, I think, is a rumor.

Ottensen said:

SuperSoulFighter said:

Then she was right on time. Switzerland just made a law to cut down the number of foreigners to be allowed in.

She would have made it regardless, because she is a wealthy woman and a cultural icon, without criminal incident to mar her reputation.

However, you are correct that many countries in Europe are getting stricter about their immigration policies, with the first criteria for entry and residence lying at the bottom line...money, and what you can do for them. Outside of political refugees(like those fleeing war) and students at top Universities, It's very much a "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" approach to residency in Europe. And she's held "residency" long enough doing her thing on a big scale to qualify for citizenship without any problem.

Yeah, you gotta be upfront about why you want citizenship in Europe nowadays. Sure you can visit but if you stay here long enough, show me the receipts before I let you officially live here, that sort of thing.

Also Tina being an American made her kinda exempt anyway, especially since she had a partner whose work was transferred to Switzerland. If his work had remained in Germany, Tina would've settled at Cologne where they lived for the rest of her life. But since it was transferred to Switzerland, they had to move there. Plus Tina being there for nearly 20 years helped her cause. Other folks who come to Europe without all that Tina had will have a harder time. But it's been like that for a while.