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Elton John Emotionally Discusses Son’s Boarding School Departure and Past Health Concerns
Renowned musician Sir Elton John recently shared a touching anecdote about experiencing profound emotions as his eldest son, Zachary, began attending boarding school. The celebrated “Rocket Man” vocalist, aged 78, revealed he was deeply moved by the significant milestone in his 14-year-old son’s life, a student at a prestigious English institution. This poignant moment coincided with reflections on past health issues, including a temporary loss of eyesight, further highlighting the personal challenges and triumphs in the life of the iconic performer.
Emotional Farewell at Boarding School
Despite his global fame and legendary status, Sir Elton John, who also has a younger son, Elijah, 12, with his spouse David Furnish, experienced a deeply personal parental moment when sending Zachary to boarding school. The departure proved to be unexpectedly affecting for the acclaimed artist.
Recounting the experience, Sir Elton confessed to a surge of emotion upon returning home after dropping off Zachary. “Our eldest son went to boarding school. We had lunch, and I came home and burst into tears,” he disclosed, as reported by the Mail. Reflecting on the transition, he shared his sentiments with David, stating, “I said to David, ‘I’ve lost my boy. I’ve got a little man now.'”
Vision Concerns Onstage
This heartfelt revelation follows a concerning health update from the “Tiny Dancer” icon the previous year, when Sir Elton disclosed a temporary impairment to his vision.
During a performance of “The Devil Wears Prada” in London’s West End, Sir Elton was assisted offstage by David due to his eyesight issues. The legendary songwriter addressed the audience, candidly admitting, “As some of you may know, I have had issues and now I have lost my sight. I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it.”
He continued, expressing gratitude to his husband: “To my husband who’s been my rock, because I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews… it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it, and it sounded good tonight, OK. Thank you for coming!”
Family Life and Reflections
Sir Elton John and David Furnish have cultivated a long-lasting partnership. They formalized their union in a civil partnership in December 2005 and subsequently married in 2014, following the legalization of same-sex marriage in the UK, according to People.
The couple welcomed their first son, Zachary, in 2010 via surrogacy. The same surrogate also carried their second son, Elijah, who was born in 2013. Both children later participated in their parents’ wedding ceremony as ring bearers.
In a 2016 appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Sir Elton spoke candidly about David and their “beautiful” children, reflecting on life’s unexpected turns.
He remarked, “If you’d have 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.’ But life throws you challenges, and life throws you curveballs — great curveballs.”