Sir Elton John's Recent Health Updates
For decades, Sir Elton John has been renowned for his enduring performances, but his later years have brought significant health challenges. While he officially retired from touring in 2023, his health has remained a topic of public interest. His most significant and recent health issue is a severe eye infection that has caused substantial vision loss, dramatically impacting his daily life and musical work.
In the summer of 2024, while on holiday in the south of France, John contracted a severe eye infection. The condition led to him losing his eyesight in his right eye, with his left eye also being impaired. The healing process has been slow, leaving him unable to read, watch television, or see his children play sports, an emotional and distressing situation for the 78-year-old musician. During the December 2024 premiere of the Devil Wears Prada musical, which he scored, he told the audience he could not see the performance. This ongoing struggle is the latest in a series of health battles the icon has faced over the years.
Chronic Mobility and Joint Issues
Beyond his vision loss, Sir Elton John has dealt with long-term mobility issues, leading to multiple joint replacements and retirement from touring due to the physical toll.
In September 2021, a fall on a hard surface left him in considerable pain, necessitating an urgent hip replacement operation. The surgery forced him to postpone several tour dates until 2023, marking a major setback in his farewell tour. Since then, he has also undergone surgeries for knee replacements. In October 2024, while speaking at a documentary premiere, he humorously quipped, "I don't have a right hip or a left knee or a right knee. In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip". This highlights the extent of the joint replacements he has had. Recent sightings, such as a vacation in France in August 2025, have shown him using a cane or requiring assistance to walk, pointing to his continued physical frailty.
Past Major Health Battles
Sir Elton John's current health problems follow a history of significant medical events he has faced and overcome.
Prostate Cancer and Life-Threatening Infection
In 2017, John was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He chose to have surgery to remove his prostate rather than undergo a lengthy and potentially debilitating course of chemotherapy, citing his desire to not have the disease hanging over his family for years. The surgery was successful in treating the cancer. However, his recovery was complicated by a severe bacterial infection that he contracted in South America shortly after the surgery. The infection left him gravely ill and in intensive care for several days. In his 2019 memoir, Me, he disclosed that he was only "24 hours from death" during that period.
Living with Type 2 Diabetes
Another ongoing health issue is his Type 2 diabetes, a condition he was diagnosed with in 2000. He manages this condition through careful diet control, including limiting sweets. While this is a manageable chronic condition, it requires ongoing attention and is another factor in his overall health picture.
A Comparison of Elton John's Health Issues
| Health Condition | Year(s) | Outcome/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Eye Infection | 2024-2025 | Caused significant vision loss in both eyes; distressing and impacting his ability to work on new music. |
| Hip Replacement | 2021 | Surgery following a fall, forced tour postponement; ongoing mobility challenges. |
| Prostate Cancer | 2017 | Successfully treated with surgery, but led to a near-fatal bacterial infection during recovery. |
| Type 2 Diabetes | 2000-present | Chronic condition managed through dietary changes. |
Elton John's List of Removed Organs and Replacements
In a moment of characteristic humor, John has provided a list of parts that have been removed or replaced over the years.
- Tonsils: Removed
- Adenoids: Removed
- Appendix: Removed
- Prostate: Removed following his 2017 cancer diagnosis.
- Right Hip: Replaced via surgery in 2021.
- Right Knee: Replaced
- Left Knee: Replaced
Conclusion
Despite facing a relentless series of health challenges, from a life-threatening bacterial infection to enduring mobility issues and now significant vision loss, Sir Elton John remains a resilient and determined figure. His current health profile is dominated by the eye infection he contracted in 2024, which has caused severe and potentially permanent vision loss, impacting his ability to read, watch TV, and work on new music. This recent struggle, alongside his persistent joint issues and past cancer battle, paints a picture of an artist navigating the frailties of aging with determination. Though he has retired from touring, his commitment to music and family remains unwavering, a testament to his resilient spirit and the strong support system around him, including his husband, David Furnish.
For more information on the physical demands of touring and their impact on aging performers, see this article from Billboard: How Touring Impacts Artists' Health and Well-Being
