Sir Elton John, 78, issues ‘emotional’ new health update as he details ‘distressing’ impact on his children
Sir Elton John has revealed the “distressing” impact of his ongoing health battles amid the release of his new album.
The 78-year-old music legend lost vision in his right eye after contracting a severe eye infection whilst on holiday in the South of France last July.
In a recent interview with The Times, John admitted he has “not been able to see anything since last July” and now has only limited vision in his left eye.
The Rocket Man singer described the past nine months as “a very stressful time” as he adjusts to his new reality.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Sir Elton John, 77, health woes take heartbreaking turn as he’s forced to stop signing autographs amid sight lossSir Elton John, 77, steps out with children in rare scenes following heartbreaking admission he won’t ‘be around’ to see them grow upSir Elton John, 78, touches on mortality following health woes as he declares ‘don’t want to die’
“I can see you, but I can’t see TV, I can’t read. I can’t see my boys playing rugby and soccer, and it has been a very stressful time because I’m used to soaking it all up,” Sir Elton told The Times.
“It’s distressing. You get emotional, but you have to get used to it,” he added.
His vision loss has also impacted his creative work, as he previously revealed on Good Morning America that he “can’t see a lyric” when recording.
“You have to get used to it because I’m lucky to have the life I have. I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see something out of here (left eye),” he said.
“So, you say to yourself, just get on with it,” the singer declared.
His declining vision has also left the signer unable to sign his name, forcing him to sign special editions of his new album with a simple “E”.
The music icon has faced numerous health challenges in recent years beyond his eye condition.
In 2017, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery, after which he contracted a major infection that left him “24 hours from death”.
He has also had both hip and knee replacements and was forced to postpone tour dates in 2021 following a fall.
The star announced his condition publicly last September, writing on Instagram that he was “healing” but that it was “an extremely slow process”.
It is not the first trim the singer, who shares sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 11, with husband David Furnish, has related his health woes to their children.
Speaking in the documentary covering his new album, John explained his boys “worry as they know how old I am”.
He added: “Not so much David but me. They love their daddy so they want me 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,” the 78-year-old admitted.
The Rocketman hitmaker explained those thoughts motivate him to make “the best” of his remaining time.
John announced his condition publicly last September, writing on Instagram that he was “healing” but that it was “an extremely slow process”.