Sir Elton John, 78, Shares Health Update After a 'Challenging' 15 Months

While the music icon has spoken out before, this latest update hints at just how much he's had to overcome, how he's choosing to face it, and the quiet resilience that's kept him going.

Sir Elton John has opened up about his health in a candid new interview with Variety, revealing that the past 15 months have tested him more than any recent period in his life.

Speaking openly about his battle with severe vision loss, the legendary singer described the ordeal as "devastating." John, 78, disclosed that a serious eye infection he contracted in July 2024 while on holiday in France left him blind in his right eye and with limited vision in his left.

The effects have been life-altering. "Because I lost my right eye and my left eye's not so good, the last 15 months have been challenging for me because I haven't been able to see anything, watch anything, read anything," he said.

The infection, which appeared to have permanent consequences, has forced John to adapt to a dramatically altered way of living. He explained that he hasn't been able to do many of the things that once filled his days with joy and inspiration. Still, the enduring icon remains hopeful, stating:

"I've had the most incredible life, and there is hope. I've just gotta be patient that someday science will help me with this one. Once they help me with this one, I'll be fine. It's exactly like the AIDS situation. You mustn't give up hope, you must be stoic, you must be strong [...]."

John first went public about his eyesight issues in September 2024, sharing a lengthy Instagram post in which he explained how he had spent several months recuperating at home.

He later confirmed the extent of the damage in December during an interview and again at the opening night of "The Devil Wears Prada" musical in the West End — for which he wrote the music.

The iconic musician lives with his husband, David Furnish, 62, and their two sons, Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12. Furnish, who has been by John's side throughout the ordeal, provided further insight into the singer's current condition.

Despite the challenges, John remains active in music and has continued to perform.

"We've been doing some treatments and there's been some improvements in his left eye, which is really good," he said. "We're continuing to explore and getting a lot of outreach from a lot of doctors who want to help and support."

The issue in John's right eye involves retinal damage — an area where natural healing isn't possible and where medical research is still evolving.

Still, Furnish expressed optimism about medical advances in the field. "Things are changing really quickly. What AI is doing for medicine and science alone is astonishing. And there's all kinds of interesting new theories and breakthroughs [...]," he stated.

Online, fans have been rallying around John with a mix of sympathy and emotion. One wrote, "Wow. That's terribly sad." Another shared, "so sad didn't know this . poor elton [sic]." Others turned to humour, with a third netizen typing, "didn't see that one coming 😆 [sic]."

Despite the challenges, John remains active in music and has continued to perform. "On the other hand, I've still been able to play. I'm still singing," he said, adding:

"I mean, you just have to grin and bear it. It does get me down sometimes. But on the whole, I've got a wonderful family; I have two great kids; I have him [Furnish]."

"I'm a true survivor, and I'm also a little kid underneath. I've survived a lot of things in my life. I'm trying to survive things at the moment. And you just have to be an optimist, and you have to go back to being a kid and think of yourself as having that kind of energy," the singer declared.

Though his eyesight is severely impaired, John still meets people with poise and confidence. In conversation, he appears to look one directly in the eye, giving no obvious hint of the difficulty.

However, he acknowledged that attending live performances has become challenging, explaining that although he recently took in sets from Chappell Roan at Coachella and Brandi at the Albert Hall — both of which he said were extraordinary — he can no longer clearly make out what's happening onstage.

Even so, there are small victories. Furnish noted that they have found ways to help John stay engaged with the world around him, including a large-format computer screen that allows him to read a bit using his left eye.

These adaptations, combined with cutting-edge treatments and the unwavering support of his family, have given John reasons to stay optimistic.

Still standing, even when the spotlight fades and the music stops, Elton John continues to be a symbol of endurance. As he has throughout his career, he meets adversity with honesty, courage, and grace — and his fans are right there with him.