Michael Bolton is sharing new details about a somber health diagnosis he’s been navigating over the last year and a half.
In a new interview with People, the singer revealed that he has glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer that the Cleveland Clinic defines as the “most common type of malignant (cancerous) brain tumor in adults.”
Bolton, 72, said he initially learned that he had glioblastoma in December 2023. The diagnosis came after the singer underwent emergency surgery where doctors removed a brain tumor.
One month later, Bolton underwent a second brain surgery in January 2024 following an infection. At the time, he took to Facebook to tell his fans he was taking a break from touring while he recovered from the surgery.
Per the Mayo Clinic, there is no cure for glioblastoma but treatments can “slow cancer growth and reduce symptoms.” The disease can occur at any age but often manifests in older adults. The Cleveland Clinic notes that glioblastoma “can result in death in fewer than six months without treatment.” It also says more than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with glioblastoma every year.
The cancer cells typically grow rapidly but rarely spread beyond the brain and spinal cord.
In October 2024, Bolton completed radiation and chemotherapy. As part of his treatment plan, he now gets an MRI every two months to make sure his tumor hasn’t returned.
While reflecting on his cancer journey thus far, Bolton said it has taken a toll both emotionally and physically. For instance, treatment has affected his short-term memory, mobility and speech.
“You’re reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought,” Bolton said. “Succumbing to the challenge is not an option. You’re really quickly drawn into a duel. I guess that’s the way you find out what you’re made of.”
The singer said his family has provided plenty of support while he navigates his diagnosis. He also keeps busy working with a personal trainer and voice therapist.
“Whenever you find yourself in any kind of challenging position, just to know that you’re not alone going through it is a big deal,” he said. “It actually helps people to know. It reminds them that they’re not alone.”
Bolton said he intentionally has avoided asking for a prognosis and prefers to stay positive.
“I find comfort in general more easily. (The whole experience) gives me a heightened sense of appreciation. It’s unthinkable for it to be okay not to make the most of your life,” he said. “I think we develop capabilities and problem management, and we learn how to make the best out of a bad situation. You have to be a cheerleader for yourself.”
Above all, Bolton is focused on his family and wants to ensure he takes the time to enrich his relationships with his children while he’s able to.
“How do I give things that they can take forward? Life lessons, love, any kind of validation that I can give (them) — I want to be on the right side of that so they feel great about who they are,” he said. “It’s a reality of mortality. Suddenly a new light has gone on that raises questions, including ‘Am I doing the best that I can do with my time?’”
His loved ones share the sentimate, cherishing every moment they share with the singer, too. “We’re in this together, and that’s it,” his daughter Taryn Bolton told the outlet.
