About 31 years ago, Elton John, 77, met David Furnish, a Canadian-British filmmaker (producer of Billy Elliot the Musical Live), and entered into a civil partnership in 2005.
At the time, same-sex marriage was not legal in the UK.
While John reveals he initially didn’t want children, a 2009 visit to an orphanage in Ukraine changed it all.
Meeting a 14-month-old boy, who was HIV positive, the men filed for adoption but were denied as their civil union was rejected. In addition, the “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” singer was considered “too old.”
“I always said no to having kids, because I’m too old, too set in my ways, too selfish, the lifestyle doesn’t suit me,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer told Rolling Stone in 2016. “But I said, ‘This boy we met was trying to tell me something.’…And I said, ‘Let’s go for it.’”
Zachary and Elijah
They went for it.
On Christmas Day, 2010, the legendary crooner and his partner welcomed Zachary Furnish-John, via surrogate.
“We are overwhelmed with happiness and joy at this very special moment,” the couple said in a statement. “Zachary is healthy and doing really well, and we are very proud and happy parents.”
And then, on January 11, 2013, they welcomed their second son Elijah Furnish-John, through the same secret surrogate.
Speaking with People about the woman who’s “part of [the] family,” the “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” singer said: “She [the surrogate] is a wonderful, kind and loving woman.”
Furnish, 61, adds, “All we hope is that Zachary and Elijah are healthy and happy. They will always be able to rely on us for total love and support, and we hope they grow up to live their own lives and be who they want to be, not who we want them to be.”
‘Live by example’
On December 21, 2014, after the UK legalized same-sex marriage, John and Furnish wed, making their family official.
“We don’t feel the need to take an extra step legally. But since we’re committed for life, we feel it’s really important to take that step, and take advantage of that amazing change in legislation. We all live by example,” Furnish said in 2014, when the UK legalized same-sex marriage, allowing the couple to wed.
The adorable sons served as the couple’s ring bearers.
Pocket man
One might expect that children of super famous parents are dripping with diamonds and bathing in cash.
Despite amassing a massive fortune, the “Nikita” singer and Furnish keep their pockets tight when it comes to raising Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11.
“I’m their dad, I’m famous, they live an extraordinary life. David and I talk about it all the time, we’re fully aware of the pitfalls that might happen,” John said in a 2016 interview with the Guardian. “They are spoilt in the way they live and how they’re living, but they’re not spoilt when it comes to the rules they have to live by.”
John then explains he’s teaching the boys the value of money, so they become grounded adults.
“They get £3 ($US3.80USD) pocket money, but £1 ($US1.20) is for charity, £1 is for saving and £1 is for spending, they get three coins and put them in separate jars. And they have to work for it, help in the kitchen, help in the garden. They’ve got to learn the value of doing something and earning something for themselves,” he says, adding that the family pizza Saturdays and movie nights.
‘Just be you’
Also, the “Sacrifice” singer admitted in 2022 that he’s not sure if the boys are musically inclined and will support their decisions to follow the path they choose.
On March 22, 2022, celebrating his 75th birthday, the doting dad penned a heartwarming letter in Time, titled “Dear Zachary and Elijah.”
He writes, “You’re 11 and 9 years old now, and when I was your age, I could never have dreamed where life would take me. Looking back over the past 75 years, there is so much I am proud of, so much I have learned.”
He continues, “When I was young, I was told to fit in, to do what others expected even when it didn’t feel right. Now I realize I can only be me. Being true to myself is what gave me my voice and helped me face my greatest fears.”
