At a London gala for “The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical” in early December 2024, Elton John, the celebrated 77-year-old musician, offered a candid update regarding his health, specifically his vision. The iconic singer-songwriter, who composed the musical’s score, shared with attendees his current challenges related to eyesight.
“I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight. So it’s hard for me to see it. But I love to hear it and, boy, it sounded good tonight,” Elton John stated, as reported by CNN. This honest admission provided insight into the recent health struggles of the legendary “Rocket Man” singer, directly addressing concerns about Elton John Health. He also expressed gratitude towards his husband, David Furnish, acknowledging him as his constant support during this period.
This recent statement follows an earlier reveal in September, where Elton John publicly addressed an eye infection that significantly impaired his vision. In a social media post, the EGOT winner explained the severity of the situation. “Over the summer, I’ve been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye,” he wrote on Instagram. He reassured fans that he was in the process of recovery, albeit a slow one. “I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.” This update underscored the ongoing nature of his health journey and the challenges he faces in regaining full eyesight.
However, Elton John’s recent eyesight issues are just one chapter in his broader health narrative over the past few years. In the preceding years, the “Benny and the Jets” performer has navigated a series of health-related incidents, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to his career despite physical setbacks.
Just last year, Elton John experienced a fall at his residence in Nice, France. While the incident necessitated a precautionary visit to a local hospital, reports from TODAY.com indicated that he was fortunate to recover at home and was ultimately “in good health” following the incident. This event, though concerning, proved to be a temporary setback in his overall well-being.
Prior to that, in 2022, concerns arose among fans when tabloids published images of the music icon using a wheelchair. Responding to the speculation and worry, Elton John clarified the situation on Instagram during his monumental “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour, which concluded in July 2023. He explained that the wheelchair usage was a practical measure taken due to logistical challenges at an airport after a performance. “After another rousing 2.5 hour show, we arrived at Leipzig airport, just before curfew to find part of the airport had closed,” he detailed. “It was an extremely long walk to get to the plane, so my team kindly laid on a wheelchair so I could rest my hip after the show. That’s all folks.” This explanation effectively dispelled rumors of more serious health deterioration at that time.
The need for a wheelchair in 2022 was indirectly linked to a hip injury sustained in September 2021. Elton John underwent hip surgery after an unfortunate fall “awkwardly on a hard surface.” The recovery from this surgery led to the postponement of some dates on his farewell tour, highlighting the impact of the injury on his performance schedule and Elton John health in general.
Adding to these challenges, Elton John also contracted COVID-19 in January 2022, resulting in further tour delays. Reports from The Associated Press at the time indicated that he experienced “mild symptoms” during his COVID-19 infection. It was also noted that he had been vaccinated and received booster shots, which likely contributed to the less severe nature of his illness.
Despite these various health obstacles, Elton John maintains an optimistic outlook, particularly regarding his current eye infection recovery. He mentioned spending a significant part of the past summer “recuperating at home,” emphasizing the importance of rest and medical care in his healing process. He expressed gratitude for the “excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family” who have supported him throughout this period. Concluding on a positive note, Elton John stated, “(I) am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery thus far,” reinforcing his hopeful perspective on his future Elton John health.
