Sir Elton John has spoken candidly about his ongoing health challenges, revealing that loss of vision has left him “devastated”. The music legend has been open about past difficulties, including a 2024 infection that left him blind in one eye, alongside poor vision in the other.
In a new interview with Variety, he said the past 15 months have been especially challenging. “I haven’t been able to see anything, watch anything, read anything,” he explained. Despite this, he remains hopeful, “I’ve had the most incredible life, and there is hope. I’ve just got to be patient and hope that someday science will help me.”
Sir Elton also reflected on previous health issues, noting that multiple surgeries have removed his tonsils, adenoids, appendix, prostate and several joints. “The only thing left for me is my left hip. But I’m still here,” he said at the premiere of his documentary ‘Elton John: Never Too Late’.
Despite his struggles, he has maintained his sense of humour, joking about his eyesight while co-hosting the Golden Globes. He confirmed that he would not tour again after the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in 2023, though he has performed occasional shows, including the Candlelight Concert, the Stonewall National Monument opening, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony and the Singapore Grand Prix. He has also been confirmed as the first headliner for Rock in Rio 2026, expressing excitement to return to Brazil.
In the Variety interview, Sir Elton also discussed his activism, criticising governments for restricting HIV and AIDS medicine access and suggesting that President Trump could become “one of the greatest presidents in history” if he ended AIDS.
