Tina Turner, a native of Brownsville, Tennessee, is set to receive a huge honor as local leaders have given the green light for a bronze statue of the iconic singer. This decision comes roughly a year after the mayor initially pledged to commission such a statue.
Mayor Bill Rawls, Jr. confirmed to TMZ that the city will finance the creation of a six-foot-tall bronze statue to be situated in Heritage Park, adjacent to the high school Turner once attended.
The planned bronze statue of Turner is estimated to cost approximately $150,000. The city will make the initial deposit, with public and private funds expected to cover the remaining expenses.
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Mayor Rawls expressed confidence in securing the necessary funds, noting that fundraising efforts will commence immediately.
This initiative aligns with the Mayor’s previously stated intentions, which were outlined shortly after Turner’s passing last May, to erect a statue in her honor at Heritage Park.
Aside from the statue, plans are underway to construct a substantial plaza in Heritage Park, where Turner’s statue will take center stage.
Brownsville, already housing the Tina Turner Museum, sees this expansive plaza as a fitting tribute to the “Queen of Rock & Roll.”
Mayor Rawls explained the city’s desire to honor Turner in a significant manner by placing her statue near her former high school to ensure her memory endures.
The statue, to be sculpted by Nigerian artist Fred “Ajano” Ajanogha, is slated for unveiling in the fall of 2025, pending a smooth execution of plans.
Following Turner’s passing at the age of 83 last year, during which she battled various health issues, numerous celebrities, such as Lizzo, Patti LaBelle, and John Fogerty, paid homage to the iconic star.
Now, her hometown is steadfast in its resolve to honor her memory too.
