Elton John, 77, reflects on his mortality: 'I don't know how much time I have left' | Ents & Arts News

Sir Elton John has opened up about his fear of death in a new documentary about his life, saying: “I don't know how much time I have left.”

The 77-year-old Rocketman singer also admitted that his young children are worried about his age.

Elton John: Never Too Late was screened at a special gala screening at the Royal Festival Hall London Film Festival (LFF) on Thursday, and describes his decades-long career.

Directed by US filmmaker RJ Cutler and Sir Elton's husband David Furnish, the project includes never-before-seen footage and conversations with the artist's long-time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, as well as Dua Lipa and the late John Lennon.

Sir Elton rounded out his touring career last yearwith his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.

Over the years, he has suffered from various health problems, including knee and hip replacements, surgeries for prostate cancer, and recently it was revealed that this is the case limited vision in one eye after a serious eye infection.

The footage shows him preparing for his final concert in North America at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, after playing two sold-out concerts there in 1975.

Sir Elton, 77, said: “I wonder what will happen to all this stuff when I’m done? This is the last time of my life. I don’t know how much time I have left.”

“And you think about that more when you’re my age. You think about life and death. You think, Well, I just want to be where I want to be right now.”

“After this tour I don’t have to work anymore. I’ll make records, put together radio shows and do other things, but traveling takes such a toll on you.”

“It's very tiring. I’m used to it and a veteran of it… but here you start to think about mortality.”

“They’re worried about my mortality.”

He also says in the film that his two sons, Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, are “contemplating his mortality.”

He explains: “They worry about my mortality because they know how old I am. Not so much David, but me, they love their dad and want me to be there forever.”

“I would like to be there forever. I want to see them have kids and get married, but I don’t think I’ll be there for that, who knows, you never know.”

“That's why I want to make the most of my time while I'm here… time together is so wonderful and so valuable.”

Sir Elton told the LFF audience that the contrast between his last performance and his performances at the same stadium almost 50 years later was stark.

He said: “I leave the stage for the last time in America and again at Dodger Stadium, where I have the most wonderful life. No sadness, just happiness, family, children, husband, friends, sobriety. It was a hell.” Difference.

“And it's shown in two parts – what can happen to people who aren't really… I wasn't prepared for the success that I had, I loved it, but the back end of it, or the bad side of it, was that I only had music and there was nothing else and no basis whatsoever.

“So they captured it brilliantly and I really didn’t have much to do with it. I let her carry on.”

In 2019, Taron Egerton starred in Rocketman, a film about Sir Elton's early life, depicting his childhood up to the 1980s. The film earned Sir Elton his second Oscar for Best Original Song.

Known for hits such as “I'm Still Standing,” “Candle In The Wind” and “Your Song,” he was named a member of the Order of the Companions of Honor in 2021.

Elton John: Never Too Late premieres on Disney Plus on December 13th.