Though Elton John is immortalized by a career of immeasurable talent, the 77-year-old is facing the inevitability of death as his two young children express their fears over their father’s demise.
One of dozens of celebrities with the prestigious EGOT title, John’s almost six decades of artistry will live an eternity. But the “Rocket Man,” who after several serious health issues is a “ticking time bomb,” says his boys worry about [his mortality,” and he knows he’ll miss their major milestones.
“We are overwhelmed with happiness and joy at this very special moment,” the couple said in a statement. “Zachary is healthy and doing really well, and we are very proud and happy parents.”
And then, on January 11, 2013, they welcomed their second son Elijah Furnish-John, through the same secret surrogate.
‘Dear Zachary and Elijah’
Years later, when the legendary crooner celebrated his 75th birthday, he penned a heartwarming letter in Time, titled “Dear Zachary and Elijah.”
He writes, “You’re 11 and 9 years old now, and when I was your age, I could never have dreamed where life would take me. Looking back over the past 75 years, there is so much I am proud of, so much I have learned.”
The letter, published March 22, 2022, continues, “When I was young, I was told to fit in, to do what others expected even when it didn’t feel right. Now I realize I can only be me. Being true to myself is what gave me my voice and helped me face my greatest fears.”
Facing his ‘greatest fears’
Over the years, the five-time Grammy winner has had several near-death experiences, including in 2013 when he almost died appendicitis.
“I was a ticking time bomb. I guess I could have died at any time,” the now 77-year-old singer said.
In 2017, he had life-threatening complications following surgery for prostate cancer and said, “I didn’t really know how close to death I was.” John, then 72, continued, “I was ill because I kept saying, ‘Please let me get well. I want to see my kids.’”
And most recently the “I’m Still Standing” singer revealed he’s recovering from partial blindness.
‘Never Too Late’
On September 6, John and his 61-year-old husband walked the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival for the premiere of Elton John: Never Too Late, a documentary co-directed by Furnish.
It was the first public appearance for John since an eye infection left him with “limited vision.”
The film follows John’s decades-long career from his legendary 1974 performance at Madison Square Garden show to his final concert at Dodger Stadium in 2022.
It also shares some private moments.
Facing mortality
Despite being immortalized in the industry, the “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” singer is aware of his mortality and shares his son’s fears over his imminent death.
In the film John says of Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11: “They think about my mortality. They worry about my mortality.”
Next, referring to Furnish, the co-parent of the boys, John continues, “Not so much David, but me.”
The “Sad Songs” singer next explains that Zachary and Elijah “love their daddy, so they want me to be around forever, [and] I would love to be around forever.”
But living in a reality where death is inevitable, the singer-songwriter shares that he knows he’ll likely miss several of his son’s major milestones.
“I want to see them have children and get married. I don’t think I’m going to be around for that. Who knows? You never know.” the “Nikita” singer adds, “So that’s why I want to use the best time, the best of my time, while I’m around…Time together is so wonderful and so precious.”
‘Genuinely so happy’
Meanwhile, Furnish says his famous husband experienced “a lot of anxiety” when watching scenes specific to his mortality.
“I don’t think it’s a conversation you want to have with your children. I don’t want to plant that seed in their mind,” Furnish says. “Elton’s been through a lot, but he’s also as strong as an ox. He rarely cancels shows. He’s a strong man, and he’s a healer. He’ll probably outlive me. He’s just so tough.”
Furnish says having the boys was an “instant epiphany” that inspired his husband to retire from touring.
“He’s never going back on the road. He’s genuinely so happy,” Furnish says, adding that after 30 years together, the couple is finally “at this moment that we’ve only ever dreamed of.”
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