Soul singer Tina Turner is taking a big step away from the United States.
According to the Washington Post, Turner recently filed paperwork with the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, to relinquish her American citizenship. Reports show an official "activity report" from the embassy.
Turner signed her "Statement of Voluntary Relinquishment of U.S. Citizenship under Section 349 (a)(1) of the INA," the Immigration and Naturalization Act on Oct. 24. The Post reported Turner declared that she has few connections to the country of her birth other than family and she "has no plans to reside in the United States in the future."
The legendary singer has lived in Switzerland for about 20 years. She became a citizen of the country in April. In July, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and eight-time Grammy winner married longtime boyfriend Erwin Bach, a German music producer, whom she had been dating since 1985. The singer is fluent in German.
Turner, who was born Anna Mae Bullock, is a singer, dancer, actress, and author, whose career has spanned more than half a century, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards. The singer hits include "River Deep - Mountain High" (1966), "Proud Mary" (1971) and "Nutbush City Limits" (1973), a song which she wrote.
In her autobiography, "I, Tina," the singer revealed several instances of severe domestic abuse against her by former ex-husband, Ike Turner. The two divorced in 1978. Raised as a Baptist, she melded her faith with Buddhism in 1974, crediting the religion and its spiritual chant of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo for helping her to endure during difficult times.
According to the Huffington Post, Turner is not the only celebrity that has relinquished their citizenship.
In 1965, actress Elizabeth Taylor wanted to leave the U.S. in order to gain tax breaks on her films, but was unable to complete the process. Taylor did not go through with the ceremony where she was to "abjure all allegiance and fidelity to the United States of America."
Facebook co-founder, Eduardo Saverin, dropped his American citizenship in May 2012, reportedly in order to avoid taxes. Originally from Brazil, Saverin has since relocated to Singapore. Civil Rights Activist and author, W.E.B. Du Bois, moved to Ghana in 1960, at the ripe age of 93. He died a few years later, in 1963.
The Grammy-nominated songwriter, Denise Rich, renounced her citizenship in July 2012, potentially saving her millions in tax dollars. She now resides in London. Rich is known for her songs "Don't Waste Your Time," sung by Mary J. Blige and Aretha Franklin.
