1.Tina Turner

Moved to: Switzerland

Love Interest: Erwin Bach

The late legendary singer Tina Turner moved to Switzerland in the 1990s to be with German music executive Erwin Bach. The couple married in 2013 after decades together. Turner became a Swiss citizen and lived there until her passing in 2023, enjoying a peaceful life away from the public eye.

In a 1997 interview with Larry King, Turner discussed her decision to live abroad. "I have left America because my success was in another country and my boyfriend was in another country." Notably, Turner emphasized that Europe had provided more encouragement and support for her career compared to the United States.

2.Kelis

Moved to: Spain

Love Interest: Mike Mora

The R&B singer and chef Kelis relocated to a farm in Spain with her late husband, Mike Mora. The couple, who shared a passion for agriculture and sustainable living, chose to live a quieter life abroad, raising their children away from the hustle of Los Angeles.

The very private singer took to Instagram a year after her husband’s passing to share a heartfelt message. “It’s been exactly a year… that’s crazy to me. I’m a very private person generally, especially when there is family involved . But there is no denying the impact and evolution my husbands passing has had on my life . I get asked all the time how I started this journey . It’s a much longer conversation but in short what we were dealing with here pushed me so deep into understanding our bodies and how our minds and emotions are so interlocked you can not treat one with out the other .”

She closed, “Our thoughts and intentions are as powerful and key as our skin health and fitness. I want to live well and this is me sharing what I know to be true.”

3.Diana Ross

Moved to: Switzerland

Love Interest: Arne Naess Jr.

In the 1980s, Diana Ross moved to Switzerland after marrying Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Naess Jr. The couple lived together in Europe, blending their families and enjoying an international lifestyle before their eventual separation.

4.Sade 

Moved to: Spain and later to the Caribbean

Love Interests: Various, including former partners in the UK and Spain

Sade, the British-Nigerian singer, has lived abroad in various locations, including Spain and the Caribbean, following her relationships. Her international lifestyle and romantic ties often influenced where she settled, choosing serene locations to enjoy a private life away from the public eye.

More than anything, the Lovers Rock singer just wanted to be. She told Fader, "I just want to be who I am in the end, that's all you are anyway. It doesn't matter what anybody says about you, you are who you are in the end. Because in the end I breathe and sleep and laugh and cry, and all the things that everybody does. And that is me."

5.Serena Williams

Moved to: France (part-time)

Love Interest: Alexis Ohanian

While Serena Williams is primarily based in the U.S., she spent significant time in France during her courtship and early marriage to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Ohanian lived in Europe for a period, and the couple enjoyed time abroad, particularly in Paris, where they got engaged. Recently, they celebrated their seven-year anniversary.

6.Naomi Campbell

Moved to: Various locations, including France and Russia

Love Interests: Various international partners

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has had several relationships with high-profile international figures, including Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin. Her romantic ties have seen her spending time in countries like France, Italy, and Russia, where she immersed herself in the local cultures.

7.Meghan Markle

Moved to: The United Kingdom

Love interest: Prince Harry

Meghan Markle, an American actress, relocated to the UK after her relationship with Prince Harry became serious. The two got married in 2018, making her a member of the British royal family. In a twist, they later moved to the U.S. for a fresh start away from royal duties. Meghan is probably one of the greatest examples of following your heart.

In a 2017 interview with Vanity Fair, she said, “I can tell you that at the end of the day I think it’s really simple. We’re two people who are really happy and in love. We were very quietly dating for about six months before it became news, and I was working during that whole time, and the only thing that changed was people’s perception. Nothing about me changed. I’m still the same person that I am, and I’ve never defined myself by my relationship.”

8.Christina Milian

Moved to: France

Love Interest: Matt Pokora

Christina Milian relocated to France after meeting and falling in love with French singer Matt Pokora. The couple, who started dating in 2017, decided to make France their home base. They now have two children together and have embraced life in Europe, with Milian frequently sharing her experiences and love for French culture on social media.

In 2020, she told Page Six, “It’s a completely different relationship. It’s built on a respect for our families, for each other, and on mutual support. Nothing between us is uneasy, and that’s what I think is so special. He can truly be himself and so can I.”

9.Sabrina Elba

Moved to: The United Kingdom

Love Interest: Idris Elba

Canadian model and activist Sabrina Elba moved to the UK after marrying British actor Idris Elba. The two met in 2017 and were married in Morocco in 2019. Sabrina has since settled in London with Idris, and the couple frequently collaborates on philanthropic and business ventures, including projects aimed at supporting African communities.

According to Tatler, Sabrina shared, “I found myself an opportunity to move across the world and I thought, let me just explore more of myself before I set off on this path that I decided when I was like, six years old, you know?” During the time when Sabrina met her future husband, she made a significant life decision: she put her aspirations of pursuing a legal career on hold and relocated to London. “My life changed quite a bit!” She continued, “It’s a great example of how you can kind of set out to do something, and then, well… I got derailed by a tall, dark, and handsome actor.”

Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.