Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, London, was the eldest child of Stanley Dwight and the only child of Sheila Eileen. Raised in a council house by his maternal grandparents, Elton’s early life was steeped in music, thanks to his parents, who were avid record buyers. His father, a trumpet player in the semi-professional Bob Millar Band, tried to steer Elton towards a conventional career like banking, but Elton’s passion for music prevailed.

In 2017, Elton was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and a rare complication after surgery led to a life-threatening situation, causing him to spend 11 days in a London hospital. This close brush with death prompted Elton to reassess his life, leading to his decision to retire from touring to spend more time with his family, including his husband, David Furnish, and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah.

During his recovery, Elton found a new appreciation for the simple joys of family life. This experience also shifted his perspective on issues like privacy, leading him to defend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s use of private jets. Elton’s health scare ultimately led him to embrace a quieter lifestyle, cherishing the everyday moments with his loved ones.