Elton John Reflects On Health, Lists Missing Organs: “But I’m Still Here”
Elton John is grateful for the love of his family and the loyalty of his fans after facing numerous health challenges throughout his life. On October 1, the legendary singer, now 77, gave an emotional speech at the New York Film Festival, where his new documentary Elton John: Never Too Late premiered. The music icon attended the event with his husband David Furnish and R.J. Cutler, who co-directed the documentary.
Elton kicked off the event by serenading the audience with his classic hit Tiny Dancer. Following the performance, he opened up about his health struggles and how he has endured through it all. “To be honest with you, there’s not much of me left,” he said, adding, “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 fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip. But I’m still here. And I can’t thank you [enough], you’re the people that made me. I want to thank David and Zachary and Elijah for making me the happiest man in the world,” he said further.
In addition to his humorous honesty about his health, the Sacrifice singer shared what brings him the most joy – his family. He expressed immense gratitude for his husband, David, and their two sons, Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11.
“I found complete and utter happiness and bliss when I met David and when I had my children, our children. And it satisfied me so much. I’ve never felt happiness like I have now,” he stated.
Elton and David have been together for nearly two decades, entering a civil partnership in 2005 and officially marrying in 2014 once same-sex marriage became legal in the U.K. Their two sons were born via the same surrogate, Zachary in 2010 and Elijah in 2013.
The event marked another significant moment for Elton as he recently wrapped up his touring career, playing his final Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert in Stockholm in July 2023. “I’ve done everything there is to do, to play,” he said of his decision to retire from touring. “I’ve succeeded. I’ve been there and I’ve done it…”I’ve still got to make room because I’m still going to have music in my life. But the most important thing in my life are David, Zachary and Elijah, and my family and my friends. I found utopia and I’m so thrilled.”
Despite stepping back from touring, music remains a cornerstone of Elton’s life. He thanked his fans for being by his side throughout the ups and downs of his career. “Even when I was in my darkest times, I still played music, I still recorded music, so I have to say thank you to music for being the most incredible inspiration to me throughout my whole life,” he said, acknowledging how his music career helped him through difficult periods.
Elton has had several health setbacks in recent years. In September, he revealed on Instagram that he had “limited vision” due to a severe eye infection. In August 2023, he had a “slip” at his villa in Nice, France, but his representative confirmed to PEOPLE that the singer was in “good health.”
The singer also postponed part of his 2021 tour after injuring his hip in a fall. Despite these challenges, he remains as resilient as ever, continuing to inspire fans around the world.
Elton John: Never Too Late, which gives fans an intimate look at the singer’s extraordinary life, had its world premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival. The documentary will have a limited release in theaters in the U.S. and U.K. starting November 15, and it will be available on Disney+ beginning December 13.
