Elton John opens up about the death of his elderly mother Sheila Farebrother
Sir Elton John has has opened up about the death of his mother as he announces his retirement from music.
Sheila Farebrother died age 92 in December, just months after the mother and son ended their longstanding feud.
Ms Farebrother had reportedly fallen out with a string of family members in recent times, including Sir Elton, but made amends in the final year of her life.
Sir Elton John (Getty)
Speaking to The Sun the 70-year-old said: “She wasn’t talking to her sister and in the end everyone was talking to each other.
“I saw her a week before she died and thought, ‘God, she’s pretty feisty, she’s going to last for a few months’. A week later she was dead. It really shook me.”
Having reconciled with his mother, Sir Elton performed at her funeral held at his estate in Windsor.
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He recalls: “We had a beautiful private ceremony for her in the chapel at Woodside — where my grandmother died, where her ashes are scattered.
“It was just family and there was a cremation the next day. I wanted to have a private ceremony, and it was a beautiful religious ceremony.
“I sang, and I did a eulogy, and it was a lovely farewell. It was lovely that we did reconcile because otherwise . . . life’s too short.”
In a post to instagram he described the funeral as “perfect”.
Sir Elton John (Photo by Getty Images)
Writing after her funeral he said: “Dear Mum, today’s funeral was perfect.
“Having the service in the family chapel and attended by your brother and sister brought us all comfort. Having the service where Nan lived out her final days brought you and your Mother back together again.
“Tomorrow your friends will gather separately to say their good byes. I’ve chosen all the music so everything will be just right.”
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He added: “Thank-you for bringing me into the world and for all that you have done for me. Love, Elton #RIP.”
The star also shared a picture of a plaque bearing his mother’s name.
In an earlier post he described the shock of his mother’s death, writing: “So sad to say that my mother passed away this morning.
“I only saw her last Monday and I am in shock. Travel safe Mum. Thank you for everything. I will miss you so much. Love, Elton”
(L) Sir Elton John, Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John and David Furnish (R) (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Sir Elton ended a nine year feud with his mother only recently.
Ms Farebrother revealed in a March 2015 interview that in a heated argument her son asked her to cut two men out of her life, but she refused.
In May 2017 Sir Elton revealed he and his mother were “back in touch” following his brush with death that saw him put in intensive care with a bacterial infection contracted in South America.
Sir Elton surprised many when he posted a picture of him with his mother, taken in July 2002, on Mother’s Day.
Prior to this year it is believed they had not had a relationship since June 2008.
She even invited an Elton John impersenator to perform at her 90th birthday party instead of the real thing.
Sir Elton declined to attend her 90th in March 2016, just two months before they would finally rekindle their relationship.
After the singer came down with the bacterial infection on a flight back from Chile, where had been doing a series of concerts, he was prompted to get back in touch.
The I’m Still Standing performer will now host his last ever world tour, which will take in 300 dates across the next three years.
