Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, have been together for over two decades, raising two sons, Zachary and Elijah. John, a renowned musician with 32 albums, is now focusing on family life alongside his thriving career.
John and Furnish met in 1993 when John invited friends, including Furnish, to dinner. John recalls an instant connection, admiring Furnish’s shyness and style. Their relationship blossomed quickly, leading to a civil partnership in 2005 and marriage in 2014, celebrated with their sons as ring bearers.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 04: Sir Elton John And His Partner David Furnish At Society Party Hosted By Television Presenter David Frost At Carlyle Square In Chelsea, London. (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)
The couple’s journey to parenthood began in 2009 after forming a bond with Lev, a Ukrainian boy they met at an orphanage. Although unable to adopt Lev, the experience inspired them to have children. They welcomed Zachary in 2010 and Elijah in 2013 via surrogate. John and Furnish prioritize hands-on parenting, avoiding reliance on nannies. “We don’t want to put the raising of children into the hands of nannies and housekeepers,” said Furnish. They emphasize humility and the value of money, giving their sons small chores and pocket money to teach financial responsibility.
Despite their fame, the couple strives to give their children a normal life. John values quality time over material wealth, stating, “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.”