Michael Bolton breaks silence on aggressive cancer diagnosis in emotional interview as he vows ‘I’ll keep going’
Grammy-winning singer Michael Bolton has broken his silence about his battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer in his first major interview since his diagnosis.
The 72-year-old music icon revealed his determination to fight glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive type of brain tumour that was discovered in late 2023.
In a candid interview with People magazine, Bolton demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of his health crisis and said: “Succumbing to the challenge is not an option. You’re really quickly drawn into a duel. I guess that’s the way you find out what you’re made of.”
Bolton underwent emergency surgery in December 2023 after being diagnosed with glioblastoma with doctors being able to completely remove the tumour during the operation, according to his neuro-oncologist Dr. Ingo Mellinghoff.
The success rate for this delicate surgery is only around 30 per cent to 40 per cent, making Bolton’s outcome particularly fortunate, however, the singer faced another setback in January 2024 when he required a second brain surgery due to an infection.
Bolton had initially announced his diagnosis to fans in January 2024, explaining that he would need to take time off to recover and following his surgeries, he underwent a comprehensive treatment plan including radiation and chemotherapy, which concluded in October last year.
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The singer now receives MRI scans every two months to monitor his condition, with a scan earlier this month showing no signs of the tumour returning, offering positive news in his recovery journey.
This is particularly significant as glioblastoma has a high recurrence rate of around 90 per cent, according to the Glioblastoma Foundation.
Throughout his health battle, Bolton has displayed remarkable determination and courage and told the same publication: “You’re reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought.”
Bolton expressed his desire to continue forward despite the challenges and added: “I want to keep going,” he said. “I feel there’s still a lot to do on the fight side.”
The diagnosis has affected Bolton’s short-term memory, speech and mobility, but these challenges haven’t diminished his spirit – but despite these difficulties, the singer continues to engage in activities he loves, including golf and meditation.
Bolton has chosen not to receive a prognosis, preferring instead to remain hopeful about his future and shared: “Whenever you find yourself in any kind of challenging position, just to know that you’re not alone going through it is a big deal.
“I find comfort in general more easily,” Bolton said. “[The whole experience] gives me a heightened sense of appreciation. It’s unthinkable for it to be okay not to make the most of your life. You have to be a cheerleader for yourself.”
He also ensures he keeps up with his singing through voice lessons and voice therapy, with his daughter Holly recalling: “He was in recovery in the hospital room singing within minutes.
“I remember one of the nurses [at the hospital] had no idea who he was, and she’s like, ‘Do you know he sings like this?'” Holly recalled.
The singer, who has sold more than 75 million records during his 50-year career, is already thinking about new music.
“I got a title for a song: ‘Ain’t Going Down Without a Fight,'” Bolton revealed and believes sharing his story helps others facing similar challenges.
“It actually helps people to know. It reminds them that they’re not alone.”