“When someone has that kind of brilliance and dynamism, you don’t expect them to ‘go’ out of life. Of course, it happens to everyone, but Tina was something special.

When we filmed Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, I knew her music like everyone else, but it was her personality that attracted me, especially as Aunt Edith. I knew the origins of her music and where her power came from. In this barren country of Mad Max, everyone who survived had to face many situations that few could handle. Every time we talked about Aunt Edith when we wrote the script, we said, “We need someone like Tina Turner.” He was the only person we thought of. Besides, he was the only one we asked for the part.

Turner was the exact opposite of a diva. I had the privilege of working with her and seeing firsthand what made her so great. She was so smart and ready. She also had a good sense of humor, she was playful, loved to laugh. He was a man of strong character and not superficial. I think it comes from someone who went through so much at a young age but is now using it to become wiser.

For most of her life, she performed in one way or another. It is rare that someone goes through this process and remains almost unscathed, even tall. I think this growth was innate. One day I saw her at a birthday party surrounded by Mick Jagger and other important musical personalities. She herself acted like she was a great royalty. I notice how people talk about her, how powerful and generous she was. Everyone has something to learn from Tina.

But I also learned a lot from her. When we worked together, I learned from her how to handle difficult work. But most importantly, she taught me to inspire others to work towards a common goal. One day he said to me, “You’ll learn a lot if you go on tour with us for a week or two.” I so wanted to leave, but the end of the film caught me. I regretted not going with her.

I once saw her backstage after a concert when a member of her band had a problem. He was going through a crisis and thought about ending his career. He went to talk to Tina, and then I said that I would leave the room. “No, no, listen,” Tina told me. And I watched her as she spoke to him. She understood his problems and spoke to him directly. I was impressed by her demeanor – determination on the one hand and kindness on the other. Later I saw her do the same with the Jackson brothers. Then I realized that he did this to everyone.

I will never forget an incident that happened in 1988. Fireworks were set off in Sydney for some holiday. Tina had a boat and invited many people to travel with her. She came with us and my two year old daughter Tina played with her. Over time, we had to put the baby to sleep in one of the beds. But the girl said, “I want to play with Tina Turner.” We took her back to Tina, who played with her with great pleasure.

She grew up in America, but was international. She eventually became a Swiss citizen. The last time I saw her was in the late 1990s, when she lived on the coast of France, not far from Cannes. Australia loved her.

Like everyone, I feel this loss. When such a powerful presence leaves, you feel very sad, you understand that this happens to all of us – even to such great people as Tina.

According to The Guardian