Sir Elton John, the legendary Rocket Man himself, once admitted that fatherhood was a role he never envisioned for himself. In his autobiography, Me, he humorously recounts how the 1970s or 80s Elton would have reacted to the idea of finding profound joy in diaper changes: with swift room evacuation and flying crockery. However, life took an unexpected turn, and Elton embraced fatherhood in his 60s, becoming a devoted dad to two sons.
From Rock Star to Dad: Elton John’s Unlikely Transformation
It’s hard to imagine the flamboyant rock icon as a nurturing father, especially considering his wild past. Elton himself acknowledged this contrast, stating in Me that the younger version of himself would be bewildered by his later-in-life paternal role. Yet, alongside his husband David Furnish, Elton embarked on the journey of parenthood, revealing a softer, more grounded side to his larger-than-life persona. This transformation underscores the profound impact children can have, changing perspectives and priorities even for the most unconventional figures.
Meet Zachary and Elijah Furnish-John
Elton John and David Furnish are the proud parents of two sons: Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, born on Christmas Day 2010, and Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, born in 2013. Both boys were conceived through surrogacy, using the same egg donor, creating a unique sibling bond. Zachary is currently 13 years old, and Elijah is 11 (as of 2024), and they are growing up in a loving and supportive family environment. While Elton and David maintain a degree of privacy around their children, it’s clear that Zachary and Elijah are the center of their world.
The Turning Point: Soweto and a Boy Named Lev
Elton’s path to fatherhood wasn’t a sudden decision. He credits a visit to a Soweto drop-in center in 2009 as the initial spark. Witnessing the plight of orphaned children living with HIV deeply affected him. He formed a connection with a young boy named Noosa, experiencing a feeling he described as more than just pity or fondness – a flicker of paternal instinct.
Although adopting Noosa wasn’t possible, the encounter opened Elton’s heart to the idea of fatherhood. Later that year, a visit to a Ukrainian orphanage solidified his desire to become a dad. There, he met a boy named Lev. While adoption wasn’t feasible, Elton, moved by Lev’s situation, worked with a charity to support Lev and his brother, ensuring they were cared for by their grandmother and later evacuated from Ukraine to Kiev when conflict arose.
The impact of Lev was so profound that Elton named his first son, Zachary Jackson Levon, in his honor. As Elton explained, Lev was “like an angel, a messenger,” who guided him towards fatherhood and the life-changing experience of becoming a parent.
Elton John’s Embrace of Fatherhood
Elton’s past rock’n’roll lifestyle, filled with excess and drama, ironically prepared him for the less glamorous aspects of parenting. He humorously notes in his autobiography that toddler tantrums seemed “weirdly charming” compared to his past escapades. This perspective highlights how his experiences, even the wild ones, have shaped his approach to fatherhood, making him unfazed by the typical challenges of raising young children. He embraced the joys and demands of being a dad with the same passion and commitment he brought to his music career, proving that even a Rocket Man can find his greatest joy in the everyday moments of family life.
