Sir Elton John, the beloved British singer and performer, has shared his heartfelt desire to leave behind a legacy focused not on his extensive and ground-breaking music career but rather on his role as a dedicated father.
During a recent honors event hosted by TIME Magazine in New York City, Elton unveiled the simple yet poignant inscription he wishes to have on his gravestone: "On my gravestone, all I want it to say is, 'He was a great dad.'" This statement encapsulates the sentiment he expressed throughout the event, highlighting how fatherhood reshapes his priorities.
Elton, who shares two sons, Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, with his husband David Furnish, 62, took the opportunity to reflect on what truly counts most to him. During an interview on Good Morning America later the same day, he reiterated, "My legacy is… (I was) good to them. That’s all counts.”
This focus on family seems poignant, especially as Elton steps back from his illustrious career due to health challenges. A new documentary titled Elton John: Never Too Late, chronicles his final Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, illuminating both the joys of stardom and the sacrifices made for success.
While touring across the United States, Elton faced the harsh reality of being away from his children, which led him to express some emotional confessions. Speaking from the heart, he said, "I want to see our children get married, but I don’t think I’m going to be around forthat." This admission struck deep, particularly for David, who later shared, "That really upset me." It became apparent to him just how real the reality of Elton's mortality had become.
Elton's recent experiences with health setbacks only add to this narrative. Earlier this month, he revealed to attendees at the London premiere of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical about his struggles with vision loss. The infection he suffered over the summer resulted in losing sight of his right eye. Onstage, he shared, "I unfortunately lost my eyesight...Four months now since I haven’t been able to see," indicating the difficulty of both his health and the barriers it places on his future creative endeavors.
Despite the severity of Elton's medical issues, he continues to express gratitude for his family, particularly praising David as his pillar of support: "To my husband, who’s been my rock… It’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it, and it sounded good tonight. Thank you for coming!" His gratitude exudes warmth, illustrating the bond they share even as challenges loom large.
The vision issues have created uncertainty around his future projects, leaving him uncertain about when he might return to the studio again. He mentioned, "I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start. We’re taking an initiative to try and get itbetter, but at the moment that's really what we're concentrating on." These candid reflections highlight both his struggles and his hopes for recovery.
Through these challenges, Elton's focus on love shines brightly. He has shared before how significant his children are to him, stating, "If you’d said to me 10 years ago I’d be sitting on your show married to the man I love and have two beautiful children, I would have said, ‘You put acid in my drink.’" His joy and pride as a father radiate when he says, "There’s no words to describe how much we love these boys. They’re just amazing."
At 77 years old, Elton has built a legacy filled with music and memories, but as he faces the true essence of life, it becomes apparent where his heart lies. Through the smiles of his sons and the support of David, he stands grateful for the life he has lived. Elton John expresses, "I’m so lucky. I’m the luckiest man in the world. I’m proud of my sons and what’s going on. I’m just very lucky and very grateful."
With these affirmations, it is clear Sir Elton John is devoted to being not just the legendary musician the world remembers but also the loving father who treasures the happiness of his children above all else.
