Elton John has celebrated a significant private milestone, marking 35 years of sobriety with a heartfelt message to followers and household on July 29.
The music legend took to Instagram to commemorate the date with a photograph of handmade playing cards from his sons, Elijah and Zachary, alongside a bouquet of flowers. “Grateful for all of the love on my sobriety birthday,” he captioned the publish, which drew hundreds of feedback from followers and mates.
John, 78, has lengthy been open about his previous struggles with habit and the transformative energy of restoration.
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His battle with alcohol, marijuana and what he as soon as known as his “worst greatest pal” — cocaine — was dramatized within the 2019 biopic Rocketman. In interviews, he has spoken candidly in regards to the extremes of his life throughout the top of his fame.
“It practically destroyed my soul,” he told CBS News in October 2019 of his habit. “My soul was black, like a charred piece of steak, till I mentioned, ‘I need assistance.’ And instantly, somewhat pilot gentle in my soul got here alongside going, ‘Sure, I’m nonetheless right here. I’m nonetheless right here. I’m nonetheless right here. I can nonetheless be rescued.’”
The turning level, John has mentioned, got here after the 1990 dying of Ryan White, a teenage AIDS activist whom he befriended. That very same yr, John checked himself into Chicago’s Parkside Lutheran Hospital on July 29, starting what would turn out to be a decades-long journey in restoration. In 2023, he posted a photograph of his sobriety chip with the phrases: “34 years clear and sober. My life has by no means been higher.”
“My sobriety has introduced me every thing that I may presumably want for,” he mirrored in a 1994 interview. “I’m a survivor. I’ve survived numerous issues. Life is filled with pitfalls, even whenever you’re sober. I can take care of them now as a result of I don’t should run away and conceal.”
Now, John continues to be a supply of assist for others in restoration. He’s publicly helped artists like Boy George by sobriety and revealed in his memoir Me that he was Eminem’s Alcoholics Nameless sponsor.