Elton John, 77, ‘Not much’ of me left
Elton John, the legendary singer-songwriter, continues to defy expectations at the age of 77. Despite a long list of health challenges, the iconic musician remains a beacon of inspiration.
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Speaking candidly at the premiere of his new documentary, “Elton John: Never Too Late,” at the New York Film Festival, John joked about his numerous health issues. “To be honest with you, there’s not much of me left,” he quipped. “I don’t have tonsils, adenoids or an appendix. I don’t have a prostate. I don’t have a right hip or a left knee or a right knee. In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip.”
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Yet, despite these setbacks, John’s spirit remains unbroken. “But I’m still here,” he continued. “And I can’t thank you [enough], you’re the people that made me.”
John’s health journey has been a testament to his resilience. Over the years, he has faced a variety of medical challenges, including a severe eye infection, knee and hip replacement surgeries, a pacemaker implantation, influenza, a bacterial infection, an abscess, gastric flu, and hearing loss.
Friends of John’s expressed concern about his well-being during the final leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. However, the singer persevered, completing the tour in 2023 after five years and over 300 shows worldwide.
At the documentary’s premiere, John reflected on his decision to retire from touring. “As you know, I decided to stop touring because I’m 77 years of age,” he said. “I’ve done all there is to do, to play. I’ve succeeded. I’ve been there and I’ve done it.”
The EGOT winner also expressed gratitude for his husband, David Furnish, and their sons, Zachary and Elijah. “The most important thing in my life are David, Zachary and Elijah, and my family and my friends,” he added. “I found utopia and I’m so thrilled.”
“Elton John: Never Too Late” delves into John’s five-decade career, culminating in his final North American show at Dodger Stadium in 2022. The documentary is set to stream on Disney+ in the US on December 13.
