Cher Reveals What She and Tina Turner Talked About During Their Final Visits: ‘We Had the Best Time’

In the last visit Cher made to Switzerland to see her beloved friend Tina Turner, it was more than just a meeting of two legendary music icons; it was the closing chapter of a friendship that had lasted for decades. While Turner, who passed away at age 83 after battling numerous health issues, faced her final days, she and Cher made the most of their time together, sharing laughter, memories, and even a parting gift.

Cher, 78, recalls receiving a unique memento from that trip—a pair of Turner’s iconic high heels. “I’m not going to wear them,” Cher revealed to PEOPLE. “I just have them up in my closet.”

Their bond, which stretched back decades, was one rooted in mutual admiration and a shared history. Cher described Turner as still being her fun-loving self, despite her health struggles. During a recent visit, Turner was lying on a chaise and admitted to feeling tired, but soon after, she was back to her lively self. “For two hours, we were running around the house, and she was laughing hysterically,” Cher fondly remembers. “She just needed to talk and yell. That’s the Tina that I loved. We had the best time and talked about the old times.”

The friendship between the two stars spanned over four decades, with notable moments like their 1975 duet on Cher’s solo variety show. The performance, where they both wore matching fringed dresses while singing “Shame, Shame, Shame,” is now etched in music history. They continued to grace stages together, performing alongside Elton John in 1999, and cementing their connection both in the music world and beyond.

Their camaraderie was just as visible offstage. A heartwarming 2008 interview with Oprah Winfrey showed the duo, then in their 60s, holding hands as they talked about aging. When Oprah asked how they felt about getting older, Cher’s cheeky response—”I think it sucks”—had Turner erupting into laughter, showcasing the humor and warmth that defined their friendship.

“We had a lot of great memories,” Cher shared, reflecting on their time together.

Tina Turner’s final years were marked by significant health challenges, including a stroke, intestinal cancer, and kidney failure that required a transplant. Despite these battles, Turner’s spirit remained strong until the end. Her death, announced by her publicist Bernard Doherty, marked the loss of not just a music legend but a cultural icon. Turner passed away peacefully in her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, leaving behind a legacy that transcended music.

“With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” the publicist’s statement read.

While Turner’s passing leaves a void, her friendship with Cher and the moments they shared—like their final laughter-filled visits—serve as a reminder of the joy, strength, and unforgettable presence she brought to the world. Cher’s memories of Tina reflect a deep bond between two trailblazers who forever changed the landscape of music and the meaning of true friendship.