Elton John performs at the “Elton John: Never Too Late” screening in New York City.Photo:Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Elton Johnis thankful for his family and fans after suffering several health issues through the years.
While speaking after the documentary aired, John — who alsoserenaded the crowd with “Tiny Dancer"at the event — opened up about his health journey, sharing, “To be honest with you, there’s not much of me left. I don’t have tonsils, adenoids or an appendix. I don’t have a prostate.”
“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. But I’m still here. And I can’t thank you [enough], you’re the people that made me. I want to thank David andZachary and Elijahfor making me the happiest man in the world,” the music icon continued, referencing his partner and their two sons.
David Furnish, Elijah Furnish-John, Zachary Furnish-John, and Elton John.Michael Kovac/Getty
Michael Kovac/Getty
John and Furnish— who entered a civil partnership in December 2005 and officially tied the knot nine years later once same-sex marriage became legal in the U.K. — welcomed their older son, Zachary, 13, in 2010 via surrogate. Their son Elijah, 11, then joined the family in 2013 via the same surrogate.
John said of his family at Tuesday’s event, “I found complete and utter happiness and bliss when I met David and when I had my children, our children. And it satisfied me so much. I’ve never felt happiness like I have now.”
“As you know, I decided to stop touring because I’m 77 years of age, I’ve done all there is to do, to play. I’ve succeeded. I’ve been there and I’ve done it,” John added about his decision to step back from touring after playing hisfinal Farewell Yellow Brick Road datein Stockholm in July 2023.
“I’ve still got to make room because I’m still going to have music in my life. But the most important thing in my life are David, Zachary and Elijah, and my family and my friends. I found utopia and I’m so thrilled,” he insisted.
John has been open about both family life and his health problems through the years, revealing onInstagramon Sept. 3 that he had"limited vision” in one of his eyesfollowing a severe eye infection.
In August 2023, John’s representativeassured PEOPLEthat the “Rocket Man” singer was in “good health” following “a slip” at his villa in Nice, France. A couple of years before that, the five-time Grammy winnerpushed back the remainder of his 2021 tour datesto 2023 after he “fell awkwardly on a hard surface,” injuring his hip.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Elton John performs at the “Elton John: Never Too Late” screening in New York City.Jamie McCarthy/Getty
On Tuesday, John thanked the combination of music and his fans for getting him “through the good times and bad times” during his decades-long career.
“Even when I was in my darkest times, I still played music, I still recorded music, so I have to say thank you to music for being the most incredible inspiration to me throughout my whole life,” John said.
The N.Y.C. event came after John’s documentary, which looks back on his incredible life, hadits world premierein September at theToronto International Film Festival.
Elton John: Never Too Latewill have a limited theater run in the U.S. and U.K. starting Nov. 15. It premieres on Disney+ on Dec. 13.
source: people.com