Sir Elton John makes first public appearance after eye health struggle

Virgin Radio

7 Sep 2024, 14:09

The legendary Rocket Man singer opens up about his recovery while attending the premiere of a new documentary about his life.

Sir Elton John, the iconic Rocket Man, has made his first public appearance since revealing a serious health issue that has left him with limited vision in one eye.

The 77-year-old music legend showed up in good spirits at the Toronto International Film Festival, smiling and giving a thumbs-up as he arrived at the red carpet event alongside his husband, David Furnish.

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The event marked the world premiere of Elton John: Never Too Late, a documentary that takes a heartfelt look at the musician's legendary career.

Directed by RJ Cutler and co-produced by Furnish, the film also captures Sir Elton preparing for his emotional farewell concert at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium—a venue that holds special significance in his career.

Sir Elton’s appearance at the festival came just days after he shocked fans with a candid Instagram post.

The singer, who boasts nearly five million followers, shared that he had been dealing with a severe eye infection throughout the summer, which left him with impaired vision.

"Over the summer, I've been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye," Elton wrote.

He added, "I am healing, but it's an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye."

In classic Elton style, he expressed his gratitude with a touch of his signature optimism: "I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family, who have taken such good care of me over the last several weeks."

The star has been recuperating at home, focusing on his recovery while spending time with his loved ones.

At the festival, Sir Elton managed to keep the atmosphere light despite his health challenges.

In true form, the I'm Still Standing singer made a cheeky comment about his vision, telling the audience: "I'm having the best time of my life—except for this f***ing eye. I wish I could see you," according to Variety.

The emotional highlight of the evening came after the documentary was screened. The singer, whose career spans over half a century, fought back tears as he spoke about the significance of family over fame. Elton and David Furnish are proud parents to two sons, Zachary and Elijah.

"The thing I love about this movie is that I have him [Furnish] and I have my two sons," Elton said, his voice filled with emotion.

Choking back tears, he added: "I'm very proud of what I've achieved. And I will hope to keep making music, but I want to be at home with them and see them and treasure them."

The iconic star concluded by saying, "It's the greatest feeling I've ever had in my life—more than having a first number one album on Billboard."

While Sir Elton’s touring days may have come to a close after his unforgettable Glastonbury performance last year, the legend continues to thrive.

Known for timeless hits like Your Song and Tiny Dancer, he remains an enduring figure in the music industry and beyond.