Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, have been together for over two decades. The couple shares two sons, Zachary and Elijah, whom they are raising to be humble and appreciative of the value of money.
Sir Elton John is a critically acclaimed musician with 32 albums and shows no signs of stopping. At 73 years old, he still gets booked for many gigs.
Despite his thriving career spanning over three decades, John is focusing more on his personal life, including his marriage with David Furnish and their two sons, Zachary and Elijah.
Before becoming parents, John and Furnish had a whirlwind romance that began in 1993. The “Sacrifice” singer had just returned to his house in Windsor and wanted to meet new people. He asked a friend to arrange a dinner, and among the guests was Furnish, with whom John felt an instant connection. John was charmed by Furnish’s shyness and sense of style.
The day after meeting, they went on a date, marking the beginning of their long-term relationship. They entered a civil partnership for nine years before getting married in 2014, celebrating the occasion with their sons, who served as ring bearers.
Their journey to parenthood started in 2009 when they bonded with a Ukrainian boy named Lev at an orphanage for children with HIV. Although they couldn’t adopt him due to government regulations, this encounter made John realize he could be a father. They welcomed their first son, Zachary, via surrogate in 2010, and their second son, Elijah, in 2013.
Raising their children outside the spotlight, John and Furnish have taken a hands-on approach. “We don’t want to put the raising of children into the hands of nannies and housekeepers,” said Furnish. The couple’s primary goal is to ensure their sons grow up happy and healthy.
John wrote a heartfelt letter to his sons, expressing how much they have changed his life. “Zachary and Elijah, you two are the greatest gifts I have ever been given. You have filled my heart with love and my life with purpose and meaning in ways I didn’t think were possible,” he wrote.
John and Furnish are devoted to maintaining a loving and supportive environment for their children. Since becoming a parent, John has reassessed his priorities, finding quality time with his sons more valuable than material possessions.
The couple has also made significant lifestyle changes, reducing their spending and focusing on what they need. They teach their children the value of money through chores and pocket money. For instance, back in 2016, they received £3 ($3.74) for tasks like working in the kitchen or garden, and were taught to allocate coins to charity, savings, and spending.
Despite their privileged background, John wants his children to remain grounded. He does not plan to leave them his entire estate, believing that too much wealth can ruin lives. “Of course, I want to leave my boys in a very sound financial state. But it’s terrible to give kids a silver spoon. It ruins their life,” he said.
John and Furnish strive to give their sons a normal upbringing. They live like locals, enjoy outings for pizza, and watch movies together. John is also actively involved in their daily lives, often picking up and dropping them off at school.
Although they typically keep their sons off social media, John shared a rare photo of Furnish, their sons, and their godmother, Lady Gaga. He expressed sadness at missing the opportunity to pose with them but sent his love.