Sir Elton John, 77, shares heartbreaking five-word statement he wants on gravestone amid declining health woes
Sir Elton John has been reflective in recent months about his declining health and has even touched on his mortality – and now the music icon has shared a heartbreaking wish.
The Rocket Man hit-maker, 77, can be credited with several monumental life achievements but wants just one simple thing to be his ultimate legacy.
John has opened up recently on some significant health woes, and concerned fans by candidly stating “I don’t know how much time I have left” earlier this year.
This month, the legendary star was named TIME Magazine’s Icon of the Year, and the talented musician explained his posthumous hope.
“On my gravestone, all I want it to say is, ‘He was a great dad,'” he told PEOPLE.
The I’m Still Standing singer has been married to film producer David Furnish since 2014, and the couple are parents to two sons: 13-year-old Zachary and 11-year-old Elijah.
The touching admission comes not long after John shared similar sentiments in his Disney+ documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late.
Talking about his young sons, he commented: “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 want to be around forever. 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.”
He also emphasised how he doesn’t know “how much time I have left”.
“You think about that more when you get to my age,” he explained. “You think about life and… and death. You think, ‘Well, I just want to be where I want to be now.'”
Earlier this year, John was battling a “severe eye infection” and along with other health woes, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the early 2000s.
The Candle In The Wind singer has also undergone knee and hip replacements in recent years.
Just this month, he also detailed that he has “lost” his eyesight. In early December, the musician attended the red carpet launch of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical, accompanied by his husband Furnish.
When he took to the stage, he shared an update on his eye health after revealing months ago he had suffered a “severe eye infection” that had left him partially sighted.
“As some of you may know I have had issues and now I have lost my sight,” he told crowds.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Dianne Buswell met with ‘beautiful’ surprise in sweet gesture from boyfriend following Strictly winShirley Ballas ‘forever grateful’ for BBC Strictly as she issues statement amid calls to step downShirley Ballas applauded for heartwarming gesture to Dianne Buswell in BBC Strictly finale
He continued: “I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it.”
He thanked his partner in the speech, explaining he has been his “rock”.
“To my husband who’s been my rock because I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews… it’s hard for me to see it but I love to hear it and it sounded good tonight OK. Thank you for coming!” he concluded.
The singer detailed earlier in the year that he’d lost his sight in one eye. He remains in good spirits though, having shared a positive message on Good Morning America this week.