Tina Turner‘s journey to becoming the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll began in her hometown of Brownsville, Tennessee, nearly 85 years ago. Almost a year since Turner’s passing, that same meaningful place is launching plans to build a bronze statue – and more – in her honor.
Turner was born on November 26, 1939, the youngest of three children. While the real Tina Turner stood at a modest 5’4″, the newly approved statue will be six feet tall. But Brownsville mayor William Rawls revealed that there is actually even more planned for this special tribute.
Tina Turner’s hometown of Brownsville is putting together a statue in her honor
Last year, Mayor Rawls first expressed the desire to erect a bronze statue in honor of Turner, who died on May 24, 2023, at the age of 83. Now, those plans are fully set in motion. The statue will go up in Heritage Park, right near Turner’s high school.
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However, the statue is actually just one part of a larger plan. The city is also constructing a plaza for the park, with the statue of Turner serving as the centerpiece.
The project is anticipated to cost $150,000, according to TMZ, which also reports that the city is making the initial deposit, with public and private funds covering the rest; there will be a fundraiser event to contribute to the payment.
A living museum telling the story of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
The Tina statue is being built by sculptor Sculptor Fred “Ajano” Ajanogha and is expected to go up in Turner’s hometown in the fall of 2025. Not only is it part of the larger whole of the upcoming plaza, but it also joins the ranks of several other significant tributes Brownsville has made to one of its most legendary residents.
The Tina Turner Museum resides in what used to be Flagg Grove School. In the ’40s, Turner attended Flagg Grove Elementary School. Years later, an adult and an internationally-regarded superstar, Turner contributed to the school’s restoration.
West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is the proud home of the Tina Turner Museum, with Turner’s fame contributing to the city’s tourism and education surrounding its cultural heritage. The Tina Turner Museum proper boasts “costumes, gold records and memorabilia donated by Tina,” as noted by the organization’s website.
