Elton John Publicly Acknowledging ‘He’s Near the End of His Life’ Helping Him Be ‘Fully Present’

Elton John has people worried about his frequent comments on his own mortality, but a source exclusively tells Closer they shouldn’t be too concerned, as he finds it hugely cathartic to bare his soul in this way and he’s determined to make the most of every second he’s got left. 

“It’s certainly alarming when Elton talks so openly about his own mortality, at times it does seem a bit like a morbid obsession, but by all accounts, he’s actually in a very good headspace,” the insider says. Taking the stage during a one-night show at the London Palladium in March, the “Rocketman” singer gave fans a bit of wince when he morbidly began discussing what he would want inscribed on his tombstone. 

“On my tombstone, I want nothing to do with ‘Crocodile f–king Rock’. I just want it to say: ‘He was a great dad,’” the iconic musician stated. He also described reflecting on death recently, admitting he cried for 45 minutes thinking about the end. “When you get to my age, which is near 100, you think, ‘How much time have I got left?’ And you’ve got children, you’ve got a wonderful husband — you just think about mortality,” he told the “Smartless” podcast.

“It’s true he doesn’t shy away from talking about the inevitable but he insists that his way of preparing,” the insider adds. “Elton’s always been the type to say what’s on his mind, and now more than ever he’s being honest about what he wants in the time he has left.” 

At 78, the legendary Brit is done with touring — completing his farewell tour in 2023, mostly due to his advanced age and stunted sight caused by an infection that had left him blind in his right eye and with “limited vision” in his left. Working on his latest album alongside Brandi Carlyle, Who Believes in Angels?, which released Friday, April 4, took a huge emotional toll on the singer, who is known to throw himself passionately into his music at the expense of his own wellbeing. Though, with the album complete and his touring days behind him, the source notes Elton’s set to enjoy his remaining years with husband David Furnish and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah. 

“He’s very focused on enjoying his life and creating as many memories with his children as he can,” the source explains. “He still enjoys making music but now he’s more about mentoring younger artists like Ed Sheeran and Brandi Carlyle, who he adores.”  

One thing that has improved for the “Tiny Dancer” singer as he’s aged has been no longer caring about what people think, something he’s been working at his whole life. 

“He’s also been very vocal about not taking any nonsense, he’s done with holding back, when he has something, he wants to say he doesn’t mince words. He’s very aware that he’s near the end of his life and he doesn’t see why he should sugar-coat that. If anything, acknowledging that reality allows him to be more fully present for the time he does have left.”