Rock legend Sir Elton John, known for his iconic hits like “Rocket Man” and “Candle in the Wind,” has been facing the realities of aging and health challenges. At 77 years old, the music icon shared a candid reflection on how he is living out the final days of his life.
Known for his love of sweets, Elton revealed that his current diet consists of just “morsels of apples and a bit of melon” as he navigates the difficulties of managing his type 2 diabetes.
Diagnosed with the condition in the early 2000s, Elton confessed that he craves his favorite sugary indulgences, which he can no longer enjoy due to the impact they would have on his blood sugar.
He humorously remarked that, if given a “death row meal,” it would be filled with all the sweets he’s had to forgo, including ice cream, donuts, apple pie, and rhubarb crumble.
Despite the restrictions on his diet, Elton has made significant efforts to manage his health. His determination to avoid sugary treats has become a necessary sacrifice as he focuses on maintaining his blood sugar levels. “I can have an apple, I can eat a bit of melon. As long as you’re sensible about it, it doesn’t shoot your blood sugar up. But what I crave is chocolate and ice cream,” he shared wistfully.
Over the years, Elton has battled numerous health problems, including knee and hip replacements and surgery for prostate cancer. Most recently, he revealed a severe eye infection that left him with limited vision in one eye, forcing him to confront his own mortality.
In an Instagram post, he shared that the healing process is slow but ongoing, though it’s clear the ordeal has taken a toll on him.
He has become more introspective as he grows older, reflecting on his life and the time he has left. In a recent interview, he spoke about the physical toll his body has taken: “To be honest with you, there’s not much of me left. 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.”
He also expressed how this realization has made him more aware of his mortality, saying, “You think about life and death. You think: ‘well, I just want to be where I want to be now.'”
Despite his health struggles, Elton has found solace in his family. He credited his husband, David Furnish, and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah, as the greatest sources of happiness in his life. “The most important thing in my life are David, Zachary, and Elijah, and my family and my friends. I found utopia, and I’m so thrilled,” he shared.
Elton has decided to step back from touring, recognizing the physical and emotional toll that constant travel takes on him. While he will still be involved in music through recording and radio shows, his time on the road has come to an end. He expressed that he is “used to it” but is now focusing on enjoying his time with loved ones and savoring the moments that bring him joy.
As he reflects on his incredible career, Elton acknowledges that he has “done all there is to do” in music. He remains proud of his achievements but has shifted his focus to his family, which has brought him peace and fulfillment in his later years. In his own words, “I’ve succeeded. I’ve been there and I’ve done it. But the most important thing is that I’m with the people I love.”