Sir Elton John, 77, reveals what he wants written on his gravestone
Music legend Sir Elton John has revealed the five words he wants to be written on his gravestone.
The 77-year-old Your Song hitmaker pondered over how he wants to be remembered as he discussed his family life.
Sir Elton shares sons Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, with husband David Furnish, 62, whom he married in 2014.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Time Magazine honours in New York, the Rocket Man declared that he wants his love for his children to be his legacy.
‘On my gravestone, all I want it to say is, “He was a great dad”,’ he told People.
As the singer was named Time’s Icon of the Year for 2024, his partner David also offered an insight into how they are raising the youngsters.
‘We deliberately didn’t home-school our children because we want them to be their own people and to define life as they want to be defined,’ explained the Canadian filmmaker.
David has been Sir Elton’s partner since 1993, with both fathers being hands-on.
Speaking on the Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast previously, David revealed one of their strict dinnertime rules.
‘Meals are sacred. So, no phones at the table. No television on in the background,’ he said.
‘It’s all about conversation. It’s all about connection. It’s where we catch up because we all have busy lives, and we hear about each other’s days.’
During lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic, like the rest of the country, the pair homeschooled their sons, also eating three meals per day with them.
David said they used these times to ‘just talk all the time about what was going on in the world and tell funny stories’.
‘Or [we] learned about his history, or my history. And the food is part of that which brings you together.’
Sir Elton himself has made it clear on numerous occasions that he wants to be remembered as a family man.
He told Good Morning America earlier this month: ‘My music speaks for itself.
‘My legacy is that I was a great husband and an even better father… The music, the career, is fantastic. It’s been mind-blowing, groundbreaking.
‘But the most important thing to me in my life is making sure my children are happy, they have a wonderful life, and that I was good to them.’
‘That’s all that counts,’ he stated proudly.
David has stood firmly by Sir Elton’s side throughout his recent health struggles, as he confessed this month that he lost sight in his right eye over summer due to an infection.
He also confessed that he now struggles to work because vision in his left eye is ‘not the greatest’ either.
Reflecting on his life in his upcoming documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late, the award-winning star voiced his sadness that he would ‘not be around’ to see his sons get married.
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