It’s always heartbreaking to see an entertainer age and witness someone we admire facing challenges. Even if we’ve never met them face-to-face, their struggles resonate with us personally.
One such entertainer who has faced numerous medical and mental health issues throughout the years is Elton John. This talented musician has brought joy to our lives for decades, but that doesn’t imply he has done so without experiencing stress.
In the forthcoming television documentary, ‘Elton John: Never Too Late’, he shares insights about his personal life. He mentions that he has faced challenges and concerns regarding aging, and that his children share similar anxieties.
Elton John is a husband and a father. He has two sons with his partner, David Furnish. He expressed that his children, Zachary and Elijah, are worried about his growing age.
He remarked: “They worry as they know how old I am. Not so much David but me. They love their Daddy so they want me to be around forever. I don’t know how much time I have left.”
While it may sound pessimistic, he did express a desire to be around indefinitely and to witness significant milestones in their lives. He stated: “I want to see them have children and get married, but I don’t think I am going to be around for that. Who knows? You never know.”
At the premiere of his documentary in October 2024, he humorously addressed his health issues. Reflecting on previous surgeries, he joked: “I don’t have tonsils, adenoids, or an appendix. I don’t have a prostate. I don’t have a right hip, a left knee or a right knee.
“In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip. But I’m still here.”
He mentioned this after undergoing a hip replacement following a fall on a hard surface in 2021. Subsequently, he experienced a serious eye infection that affected his vision. Hopefully, that is just a temporary condition.
On Instagram, he shared that he was ‘struggling with a serious eye infection that has sadly left me with only limited vision in one eye. I am recovering, but it’s a very slow journey and it will take some time before my sight returns to the affected eye.’
In 1975, he experienced an overdose on Valium and fell into a swimming pool. Since that incident, he has faced challenges with both physical and mental health issues.
As depicted in his film, Rocketman, he also attempted suicide following a two-week binge. Subsequently, he sought treatment for bulimia and entered rehab in 1990.
In 2008, he suffered from a ‘serious E. coli infection’ which led him to cancel several shows in the UK and the United States. Four years later, he was hospitalized due to a respiratory infection.
Health challenges persisted until 2013, when he had to postpone a tour to have his appendix removed. In 2017, while planning his farewell tour, he received a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Despite this diagnosis, he returned to the stage just 10 days later. He preferred to have his prostate removed instead of undergoing chemotherapy.
In 2018, additional shows were canceled due to an ear infection, and a hip injury forced him to delay some of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour dates from 2021 to 2023.
As you can see, he has faced numerous difficulties in life, but he views himself as a survivor. He remarked: “I’ve survived a lot of things. Life is full of challenges, even when you’re sober. I can handle them now because I don’t have to escape and hide.”
He also mentioned that he knew what he wanted inscribed on his gravestone. It was five simple words: “he was a great dad.”
