London, United Kingdom — Music legend Elton John, 77, shared heartbreaking news on Sunday during a charity gala at London’s Dominion Theatre, revealing he has lost his sight after battling an eye infection that began in July.
The British icon, known for timeless hits like "Tiny Dancer" and "Your Song," announced the sad development at the end of the gala performance for The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical, a production for which he composed the score. "As some of you may know, I have had issues and now I have lost my sight. I haven't been able to see the performance, but I have enjoyed it," John said to an emotional audience, receiving rapturous applause.
Despite his condition, the singer remained positive. He expressed gratitude to his husband, David Furnish, calling him his "rock," and shared his hopes for recovery. In an Instagram post earlier this year, John was optimistic about his healing, but by September, he disclosed to ABC News that his vision had worsened significantly, leaving him unable to read or watch anything.
The announcement comes as John continues to deal with the challenges of his condition, which has also delayed his return to the recording studio. "It's been a while since I've done anything. There's hope and encouragement that it will be okay, but it's... I'm kind of stuck at the moment," he admitted.
Sunday’s performance coincided with World AIDS Day, raising funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The event also featured stars like Vanessa Williams, Donatella Versace, and Elizabeth Hurley. Though he could not watch the performance, John remarked on its quality, saying, "It sounded good tonight."
Elton John has sold over 300 million records in a career spanning six decades. He remains grateful for his family, including his husband and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah.