Michael Bolton details brain cancer battle in new interview

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FILE - Singer Michael Bolton performs onstage at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn Society Ball on May 24, 2017, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF)

Michael Bolton opened up about his aggressive brain cancer diagnosis in a recent interview, sharing about his battle with glioblastoma over the past year and a half. 

The two-time Grammy Award winner, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2023, was featured this week in a cover story for People magazine. 

Here’s what to know: 

Michael Bolton’s brain cancer battle

What we know:

Bolton was diagnosed with glioblastoma after undergoing emergency surgery. 

Doctors were able to remove his brain tumor in its entirety during the 2023 surgery, according to People. 

He underwent a second brain surgery in January 2024 following an infection. He finished radiation and chemotherapy treatment in October of that year, and has had some short-term memory, speech and mobility issues as a result of his treatment. 

He now undergoes MRIs every two months to ensure his tumor hasn’t returned. Bolton’s most recent scan took place in April, according to People – which was clear. Now it’s all about monitoring. According to the Glioblastoma Foundation, the recurrence rate for the disease is about 90%.

What we don't know:

People also reported that Bolton "has purposely not been given a prognosis." However, he remains optimistic and has been healing at his home in Westport, Connecticut, where he’s lived for more than three decades.

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What they're saying:

"You’re reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought," the 72-year-old father of three told the outlet. "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."

"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," Bolton added. "It actually helps people to know. It reminds them that they’re not alone."

The backstory:

The "When a Man Loves a Woman" singer first shared the news of his illness with fans on Instagram in January 2024. At the time, he announced that he was taking a break from touring as he focused on his recovery. Bolton's website shared that the musician was expected to start his tour in February of that year with shows throughout 2024.

Big picture view:

Bolton, whose career began in 1975 and has sold 75 million records worldwide over the past several decades, shared that he now looks at his legacy differently. Before, it was about his lasting career as an artist, but now, it’s about preparing his daughters for the future and sharing plenty of life lessons along the way. 

Dig deeper:

Bolton shares three daughters with his ex-wife Maureen McGuire. He also dedicates his time to his six grandchildren: Amelia, 14, Olivia, 13, Dylan, 11, Grayson, 10, River, 9, and Jack, 8, according to People.  

"How do I give things that they can take forward?" said Bolton. "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. 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?’"

"I want to keep going," Bolton continued. "I feel there’s still a lot to do on the fight side. I got a title for a song – ‘Ain’t Going Down Without a Fight.’"