Michael Bolton Shares Glioblastoma Diagnosis More Than a Year After Having Brain Tumor Removed

The 72-year-old singer-songwriter underwent emergency surgery in December 2023.
Michael Bolton Shares Glioblastoma Diagnosis More Than a Year After Having Brain Tumor Removed
Singer Michael Bolton attends the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year gala honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 3, 2023. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
Audrey Enjoli
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Grammy Award-winning singer Michael Bolton says he has a newfound appreciation for life after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an incurable form of brain cancer.

“It’s unthinkable for it to be okay not to make the most of your life,” the 72-year-old musician told People during an April 30 interview.

“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.”

In December 2023, Bolton underwent emergency surgery to remove a tumor in his brain and was subsequently diagnosed with the highly aggressive disease.

Bolton took to Instagram the following month to update his fans and followers about his health challenges, revealing he would be taking a temporary break from touring to focus on his recovery.

“It is always the hardest thing for me to ever disappoint my fans or postpone a show, but have no doubt I am working hard to accelerate my recovery and get back to performing soon,” he said on Jan. 5, 2024.

“I am beyond grateful for all the love and support you have so generously shown me through the years. Know that I’m keeping your positive messages in my heart, and I’ll give you more updates as soon as I can.”

That same month, the “When a Man Loves a Woman” singer was forced to have a second procedure on his brain after developing a post-operative infection.

He completed his rounds of radiation and chemotherapy treatment in October of that year and must now undergo regular MRI scans to monitor his brain for tumor regrowth.

According to the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, approximately 90 percent of people who are treated for glioblastoma will experience a recurrence of the disease, with the vast majority seeing their tumors return after two years of their initial treatment.

In a Wednesday Instagram post, Bolton touched on the difficulties of sharing “such a profoundly personal chapter” of his life with the public.

“My hope in sharing this part of my journey is that it might offer comfort to other families facing similar challenges, and perhaps even inspire those navigating their own adversity,” he wrote.

“I also want to thank all of you for the love, support, and patience you’ve shown over this past year. I’ve drawn strength from your encouragement, and I continue to draw strength from it every day as I move forward on this journey.”