Michael Bolton Opens Up on His Aggressive Brain Tumor

Michael Bolton opened up about how his rare form of brain cancer has altered his life, saying that “succumbing to the challenges is not an option.” The Grammy-winner was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2023, but he never lost hope. His daughter, Holly, recalled how “he was in recovery in the hospital room singing within minutes.” Bolton told People that his experience has given him a “heightened sense of appreciation” for life. “I find comfort in general more easily,” he said, adding: “It’s unthinkable for it to be okay not to make the most of your life.” Since his diagnosis, Bolton has always been surrounded by family, in particular his three daughters, Holly, Isa, and Taryn. He noted how “to know that you’re not alone” is “a big deal.” “We’re in this together, and that’s it,” Taryn added. Yet Bolton still worries if he’s adequately preparing his daughters for the future. He remarked: “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?’” But the singer remains optimistic, even choosing not to receive a prognosis of his cancer. He “want[s] to keep going,” saying how he’s even come up with a new song title: “Ain’t Going Down Without a Fight." Bolton announced his diagnosis to fans on Instagram in 2024, saying that he would be stepping away from touring for a while.