Elton John ‘Doesn’t Want to Give Up’ Amid Vision Loss: ‘He’s Got a Fighting Spirit’

Sir Elton John has been keeping a largely positive attitude toward his eyesight problems, as he detailed in a new interview. A source exclusively tells Closer that the iconic singer is determined to do as much as he can by himself, even though loved ones led by devoted husband David Furnish are by his side and offering to help 24/7.

“David’s heartbroken to see Elton losing his sight and worries about him even the smallest thing on his own. If Elton needs anything David jumps up to get it and when he can’t be there, he’s got staff he’s trained to take care of Elton,” the insider explains.

“His devotion to Elton is unmatched, but the constant fussing isn’t the way Elton wants to live. He appreciates the love and care, but he doesn’t want to just give up and become an invalid. He’s got a fighting spirit. He’s a very determined guy when he wants to be,” the source reveals.

“He’s still hanging on to hope that he will get his sight back, so he keeps telling David, the more he does for himself, the better,” the insider adds. “That hasn’t stopped David from waiting on him hand and foot though. He even puts on his slippers in the morning before Elton steps a foot on the floor, he’s like a doting mother.”

Elton, 77, opened up about his vision problems during a November 2024 interview on Good Morning America.

“I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the south of France and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see, and my left eye is not the greatest,” he explained.

The “Rocket Man” singer revealed that his eyesight issue had impeded his ability to make new music.

“So, there’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK, but … I’m kind of stuck at the moment, because I can do something like this [the interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start,” the five-time Grammy winner explained.

Elton was unable to see a gala performance of his musical, The Devil Wears Prada, in December 2024, although he enjoyed listening to the London West End show.

The “I’m Still Standing” artist thanked David, 62, noting his husband “has been my rock” through his vision issues while speaking onstage.

“I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight. So, it’s hard for me to see it. But I love to hear it and boy it sounded good tonight,” he added.

Elton and David met in 1993 at a dinner party thrown by a mutual friend. The pair quickly began dating and married in 2014, once same-sex marriages became legal in the United Kingdom.

“I was attracted to David immediately,” the “Tiny Dancer” crooner told Parade in 2010. “He had a real job, his own apartment, a car. He was independent. I didn’t need to take care of him. I thought, ‘God, this is new territory for me — someone wants to be with me just because he likes me.’ I knew he was the one because he is not afraid of me.”

The couple became first-time parents in 2010, using a surrogate to welcome son Zachary. Elton and David used the same surrogate for the birth of their son Elijah in 2013.