Elton John has faced numerous mental and physical health challenges since around 1975. Despite these struggles, the pianist remains focused on the growth and well-being of his two children, with his gravestone’s last words planned to reflect his love for them.
Elton John at A Year in TIME dinner on December 11, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Elton is both a married man and a father. He and his husband, David Furnish, share two sons: Elijah, 11, and Zachary, 13. In his interview, the 77-year-old artist spoke about how their children worry about his 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.
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, get married, but I don’t think I am going to be around for that. Who knows? You never know.”
Uncertainty about the future motivates Elton to cherish every moment with his family, and have been vocal about it, saying, “Our time together is so wonderful and so precious.”
Elton John at the “Elton John: Never Too Late” European debut during the London Film Festival on October 10, 2024, in England | Source: Getty Images
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 or a left knee or a right knee.”
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.”
During a November 2024 “Good Morning America” interview, he revealed that he had permanently lost sight in his right eye due to the infection. Earlier this year, in January, he missed the Emmy Awards after undergoing knee surgery. Here is a brief summary of some of his past struggles.
Elton John at “The Devil Wears Prada Musical” charity gala night in support of the Elton John Aids Foundation at The Dominion Theatre on December 1, 2024, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Elton’s Health Scares
Elton has battled physical and mental health issues since 1975 when he attempted suicide by overdosing on Valium and falling into a swimming pool. He described the incident in his 2019 autobiography, “Me.”
Elton John at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 8, 1990, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
In 2008, Elton canceled several US and UK performances after contracting “a serious e-coli infection” from contaminated food. Four years later, he was hospitalized following a performance at Las Vegas’ The Colosseum due to a severe respiratory infection.
At that time, he’d suffered a “serious” respiratory infection and had to be hospitalized. A physician who did tests advised him not to perform any concerts for around seven days while resting and taking antibiotic treatment to cure his respiratory infection.
Elton John during the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 11th Annual an Enduring Vision Benefit on October 15, 2012 in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In 2013, his ailments continued with him postponing his summer tour after being diagnosed with appendicitis, which required surgery in July. His next significant health challenge occurred in 2017 when he was secretly diagnosed with prostate cancer while planning his farewell tour.
Opting for prostate removal over chemotherapy, he returned to the stage in Las Vegas just ten days later.
Elton John at the Evgeny Lebedev Christmas party in North London on December 15, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
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.”
In 2020, Elton John had a good year celebrating 30 years of sobriety. However, in 2021, his struggles were back when he had to reschedule parts of his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour to 2023 after falling and injuring his hip, which required surgery and intensive physiotherapy.
Elton John at the screening of “‘Rocketman” during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 16, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
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.”
After enduring countless challenges throughout his life, Elton reflected on what truly mattered most to him. In December 2024, he shared a deeply personal insight into how he wished to be remembered.
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.’”
David Furnish, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, and Joseph Daniel Furnish-John at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 30th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 27, 2022, in West Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
