Legendary singer Elton John revealed that he has completely lost vision in his right eye, a condition he has battled for the past fifteen months while describing the experience as truly awful and challenging.
In an interview with Variety on the 26th, John shared that the loss resulted from an infection he contracted in France during the summer of 2024, adding that his left eye has also been compromised to the point that he has been unable to see or read anything throughout this period.
Despite these difficulties, he remains hopeful, drawing strength from past struggles with AIDS and expressing confidence that science will ultimately come to his aid. His husband David Furnish explained that the retina damage in Johns right eye cannot be repaired, though his left eye has shown some improvement with treatment.
Supported by close friends such as Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards, John has continued performing, including a post–farewell tour appearance in Singapore in October 2023 and a recent tribute performance honoring Brian Wilson.
Undeterred by health challenges, he has confirmed his appearance at Brazils Rock in Rio festival next September, promising fans an unforgettable show. With a career spanning over five decades, John has shaped pop music with hits like Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, and Im Still Standing, and his collaborations with lyricist Bernie Taupin have cemented his legacy as one of the most successful artists in history.
After publicly identifying as bisexual in the 1970s and later as gay in the 1990s, he has been a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and AIDS awareness, founding the Elton John AIDS Foundation with Furnish and devoting decades to global health and equality efforts.
