Since about 1975, Elton John has experienced a number of medical and mental health issues. Despite these difficulties, the musician is still concerned about the development and welfare of his two children, and his final remarks on his gravestone are intended to express his love for them.
Regarding his upcoming television documentary, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” Elton John discussed his personal life in an exclusive interview conducted in October 2024. The renowned singer talked about his worries about growing older and disclosed that his kids had similar worries.
Elton is a father and a married man. Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, are his two sons with his spouse, David Furnish. The 77-year-old artist discussed in his interview how their kids are concerned about his advanced age.
“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,” the pianist elaborated. He then admitted, “I don’t know how much time I have left,” but expressed his greatest hopes for the years ahead.
Elton’s Dreams for the Future and past Surgeries
The iconic pianist shared his aspirations, stating, “I want to be around forever.” He explained his desire to witness key milestones in his children’s lives, saying, “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.”
Elton has been outspoken about how he values every minute with his family because he is uncertain about the future, stating, “Our time together is so wonderful and so precious.”
At the October 2024 premiere of his documentary, the star humorously discussed his health struggles. Reflecting on past surgeries, he shared, “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 noted. In 2021, Elton underwent hip replacement surgery after falling “awkwardly on a hard surface.” Unfortunately, he later suffered from a severe eye infection.
In late 2024, the musician disclosed on Instagram that he was “dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye.” He explained, “I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.”
In an appearance with “Good Morning America” in November 2024, he disclosed that the virus had caused him to permanently lose sight in his right eye. He had knee surgery earlier this year in January, which prevented him from attending the Emmys. Here’s a quick rundown of some of his previous difficulties.
Elton’s Health Scares
Since he overdosed on Valium and fell into a swimming pool in 1975, Elton has struggled with both physical and mental health concerns. The incident was detailed in his 2019 book, “Me.”
He also attempted suicide, as shown in his movie “Rocketman.” Following a two-week binge, the artist sought treatment for bulimia nervosa and entered rehabilitation in 1990.
When Elton got “a serious e-coli infection” from eating tainted food in 2008, he had to cancel a number of shows in the US and the UK. He was admitted to the hospital four years later after performing at the Colosseum in Las Vegas because of a serious respiratory infection.
He had to be admitted to the hospital at that time due to a “serious” respiratory infection. He was told by a doctor who conducted tests that he should take antibiotics to treat his respiratory illness and rest for around seven days before doing any concerts.
His health issues persisted in 2013, as he had to postpone his summer tour due to an appendix diagnosis that necessitated surgery in July. When he was organizing his farewell tour in 2017, he received a covert prostate cancer diagnosis, which presented his next major health obstacle.
Ten days later, he was back on stage in Las Vegas, having chosen to have his prostate removed rather than undergo chemotherapy.
Shortly after, the “Your Song” singer canceled several shows due to a “rare and potentially deadly” bacterial infection contracted in South America. He spent 11 days in the hospital and admitted, “I wasn’t ready to die yet.”
In 2018, he canceled additional shows after developing an ear infection. A statement on his X page explained, “He will take a couple of days rest to allow the infection to clear up.”
Elton John celebrated his 30 years sober in 2020 with a successful year. His problems returned in 2021, though, when he had to postpone some of his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour until 2023 due to a hip injury sustained in a fall that necessitated surgery and extensive physical treatment.
The legendary musician was admitted to the hospital in 2023 after suffering another fall at his Southern France house.
Despite these challenges, he described himself as a “survivor,” stating, “I’ve survived a lot of things.” “Life is full of pitfalls, even when you’re sober,” he said. “I can deal with them now because I don’t have to run away and hide.”
Elton considered what was most important to him after facing several obstacles in his life. He revealed a very intimate glimpse of his wishes for his legacy in December 2024.
Summing up his life’s purpose in a single statement, he revealed the five words he wanted engraved on his gravestone: “On my gravestone, all I want it to say is ‘He was a great dad.’”
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