Elton John in March 2024.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Elton Johnknows how he wants to be best remembered after he dies.As he was honored asTIME’s Icon of the Year, the singer, 77, reflected on fatherhood and how his role as a dad is his most important.“On my gravestone, all I want it to say is, ‘He was a great dad,' ” John told the outlet while speaking alongside his husband,David Furnish.The “Rocketman” musician and Furnish, 62 — who have been together for more than three decades — share two children together:sons Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.David Furnish (left) with sons Elijah and Zachary and husband Elton John (right) in April 2018.Stuart C. Wilson/GettyJohn shared a similar sentiment when speaking withGood Morning America’sRobin Robertsin aninterview that aired on Dec. 11.“My music speaks for itself,” he said. “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.“The family joined John on stage for his final performance at Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium in 2022, a move that was intentional on the singer’s part.“Elton wanted the world to really see and feel why he made the decision to stop touring,” Furnish toldGMA.In November, while appearing onRadio Andyto promoteTammy Fayeon Broadway, John spoke about becoming a father later in life, which he called “the greatest thing I’ve ever done.““For me personally, I’ve had an amazing life, great career, incredible achievements, music, blah, blah, blah, but I would say that our sons, and David, are themost important things to me,” the British artist said.Elton John (left) and David Furnish (right) in September 2024.Sonia Recchia/GettyThe PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!However, John isaware that he is at a more advanced agethan most parents with young kids. InElton John: Never Too Late, the new documentary based on his life,the music icon detailed that his two children express fears about his death.“They think about my mortality. They worry about my mortality,” John said in the film, whichpremiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)earlier this year.In their joint interview withTIME, Furnish also spoke about why he and John chose not tohomeschool their two sons.“We deliberately didn’t homeschool our children because we want them to be their own people and to define life as they want to be defined,” he explained.
Elton Johnknows how he wants to be best remembered after he dies.
As he was honored asTIME’s Icon of the Year, the singer, 77, reflected on fatherhood and how his role as a dad is his most important.
“On my gravestone, all I want it to say is, ‘He was a great dad,' ” John told the outlet while speaking alongside his husband,David Furnish.
The “Rocketman” musician and Furnish, 62 — who have been together for more than three decades — share two children together:sons Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
David Furnish (left) with sons Elijah and Zachary and husband Elton John (right) in April 2018.Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
John shared a similar sentiment when speaking withGood Morning America’sRobin Robertsin aninterview that aired on Dec. 11.
“My music speaks for itself,” he said. “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.”
The family joined John on stage for his final performance at Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium in 2022, a move that was intentional on the singer’s part.
“Elton wanted the world to really see and feel why he made the decision to stop touring,” Furnish toldGMA.
In November, while appearing onRadio Andyto promoteTammy Fayeon Broadway, John spoke about becoming a father later in life, which he called “the greatest thing I’ve ever done.”
“For me personally, I’ve had an amazing life, great career, incredible achievements, music, blah, blah, blah, but I would say that our sons, and David, are themost important things to me,” the British artist said.
Elton John (left) and David Furnish (right) in September 2024.Sonia Recchia/Getty
Sonia Recchia/Getty
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
However, John isaware that he is at a more advanced agethan most parents with young kids. InElton John: Never Too Late, the new documentary based on his life,the music icon detailed that his two children express fears about his death.
“They think about my mortality. They worry about my mortality,” John said in the film, whichpremiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)earlier this year.
In their joint interview withTIME, Furnish also spoke about why he and John chose not tohomeschool their two sons.
“We deliberately didn’t homeschool our children because we want them to be their own people and to define life as they want to be defined,” he explained.
source: people.com
