Elton John says ‘there is hope’ in update on ‘devastating’ health issues
Elton John at the BFI London Film Festival on 10 October 2024 (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Disney)
Elton John at the BFI London Film Festival on 10 October 2024 (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Disney)
Sir Elton John has given an update on his health, describing the loss of some of his vision as “devastating”.
The 78-year-old “Rocket Man” hitmaker contracted an eye infection last year that has now made him blind in his right eye. It follows on from other health issues the legend has experienced in recent years, including two knee replacements.
Speaking to Variety recently the “Your Song” singer said losing his sight had been “devastating”. He continued: “Because I lost my right eye and my left eye’s not so good, the last 15 months have been challenging for me because I haven’t been able to see anything, watch anything, read anything.”
However, John remained optimistic about the situation reflecting: “I’ve had the most incredible life, and there is hope. I’ve just gotta be patient that someday science will help me with this one.”
He then likened it to “the AIDS situation”, and the advancements that have been made in HIV and AIDS care due to science and investment.
“You mustn’t give up hope,” John said. “You must be stoic, you must be strong and you must always try and batter the door down to try and improve things.”
John’s husband, David Furnish, also explained that they’d been trying “some treatments and there’s been some improvements in his left eye”, while looking into various other medical developments.
John has made it clear he’s still actively performing – he recently played the Singapore Grand Prix, delivered several private gigs, and was just announced as a headliner for Brazil’s Rock in Rio 2026 festival.
“You just have to grin and bear it,” he said of dealing with the loss if his sight. “It does get me down sometimes. But on the whole, I’ve got a wonderful family; I have two great kids; I have [Furnish].” John also shared he often hears from the likes of Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend and Mick Jagger, which helps.
Explaining how he’s been able to perform while losing his sight the “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” singer said: “I can see, because everything’s so close up.”
He added: “What I can’t see when I’m playing with the band is the band, which is a bit of a nightmare. I can’t see Nigel [Olsson], the drummer, so I have to have Davey [Johnstone, John’s lead guitarist] or somebody say, ‘OK, this is where it ends,’ and make sure we’re in sync.”
John’s successes over the last year prove he is showing no signs of slowing down. This year he’s released a new album with Brandi Carlile, titled Who Believes In Angels? The pair also performed a one-off concert performance in London in March.
Earlier this year, John also performed with Chappell Roan at his annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party.
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