Elton John Was 'Miserably Unhappy' Over Stormy Romance When He Wrote 'Candle in the Wind': 'I Kind of Fell Apart'

Elton John in 1973.Photo:Michael Putland/Getty Michael Putland/Getty But the haunting melodies of John’s greatest hits from this era, like that ode toMarilyn Monroe— which John and his songwriting partner, lyricistBernie Taupin, turned into an ode toPrincess Dianaafter her death in 1997 — reflected John’s inner turmoil at the time. He was in the throes of a stormy five-year relationship with his manager John Reid. “It was the same time John Reid broke my heart.

Elton John Was ‘Very Shut Down in Terms of Accepting Love’ When He Met Husband David Furnish

Elton John and David Furnish in September 2024.Photo:Sonia Recchia/Getty Sonia Recchia/Getty Elton Johnstruggled to open himself up when he metDavid Furnish.In acover story interview withTIMEon Wednesday, Dec. 11, the filmmaker, 62, revealed John “was very shut down in terms of accepting love” when he first met him in 1993 at a dinner party through a mutual friend.“He was very, very shut down in terms of accepting love,” Furnish told the publication.

Elton John's Sons Elijah and Zachary Look All Grown Up as They Make Rare Appearance at His 2025 Oscars Viewing Party

Elton John and his husband David Furnish with their sons.Photo:APU GOMES/AFP/Getty APU GOMES/AFP/Getty The boys even joined Furnish on stage during the event. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. David Furnish and his two sons Zachary and Elijah.Michael Kovac/Getty Michael Kovac/Getty Chappell Roanalso joined John for an incredible performance, taking the stage with the “Rocket Man” star to sing his 1974 hit “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.

Elton John’s Husband Reveals Why They Decided Not to Homeschool Their Two Boys — Unlike Other Celebrity Parents

Elton John, David Furnish and their two sons.Photo:Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Elton Johnand his husband are making sure their kids go to school locally — unlike some other celebrity parents. “We deliberately didn’t homeschool our children because we want them to be their own people and to define life as they want to be defined,” Furnish says. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Elusive Deep-Sea Fish Mysteriously Rises to Ocean's Surface in 'Extremely Rare' Broad Daylight Sighting

A creature from the ocean’s dark depths made the trek to the water’s surface. A rare humpback anglerfish — also known as theMelanocetus johnsoniispecies of black seadevil — was filmed last week rising to the surface of the ocean in what experts say may be the first live sighting of the deep-sea creature in broad daylight. Condrik Tenerife researchers and photographer David Jara Boguñáshared a clip of the anglerfish in a joint Instagram post last week.