Honestly, if you looked at Elton John in the 70s—decked out in Swarovski-encrusted baseball uniforms or literal duck suits—you probably wouldn't have pegged him for the "home by 6:00 PM to help with math homework" type. But life is weird. People change. And the answer to does Elton John have kids is a very firm, very happy yes.
He isn't just a casual dad, either. He's the kind of dad who retired from one of the most successful touring careers in human history specifically because he didn't want to miss a single soccer match or school play.
The Rocket Man is officially a father of two.
The Sons of a Legend: Meet Zachary and Elijah
Elton and his longtime partner (now husband), David Furnish, share two sons. They didn't do things halfway.
Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John arrived first. He was a Christmas baby, born on December 25, 2010. Talk about a holiday gift. Then, about three years later, Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John joined the crew on January 11, 2013.
Both boys were born via the same surrogate. Elton has been super vocal about how much he loves this woman, once describing her to Hello! magazine as "like a sister." It wasn't some cold, clinical transaction. They kept scrapbooks of the whole process—scans, emails, the works—because they wanted the boys to know they were created with an insane amount of intention and love.
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Growing up in the spotlight (but not really)
You'd think being the kid of a man who has sold 300 million records would be a total circus. It's actually kind of the opposite. For years, Elton and David were fiercely protective. If you followed Elton on Instagram, you’d mostly see the back of the boys' heads.
- Privacy first: They wanted a normal childhood. Or as normal as it gets when your godmother is Lady Gaga.
- A recent shift: Just recently, as we've moved into 2026, the couple has loosened the reins a bit. Fans were shocked (and thrilled) when a New Year's Eve photo from Donatella Versace's party showed the boys' faces.
- The growth spurt: Zachary is now 15. Elijah is 13. In the latest photos, they’re basically eye-to-eye with their parents and looking sharp in dapper suits.
Why Elton Almost Never Became a Dad
It’s easy to forget that this wasn't always the plan. For a long time, Elton didn't think he was "father material."
He grew up in a household defined by fear. His father, Stanley Dwight, was a strict, emotionally distant military man. Elton has admitted he spent his own childhood "walking on eggshells." Because of that trauma, he spent decades worried he’d pass that same coldness down to a child.
The turning point was heartbreakingly human. In 2009, Elton and David visited an orphanage in Ukraine. They met a 14-month-old boy named Lev and fell head over heels. They wanted to adopt him. But the Ukrainian government blocked it, citing Elton's age and his same-sex marriage.
He was devastated. But that rejection "planted the seed," as he put it. It made him realize that his heart was actually wide open for parenting. While he couldn't take Lev home, he stayed in touch and supported the boy financially. Shortly after, he and David decided to pursue surrogacy in California.
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The "Dad" Reality: Soccer and Mortality
Being an older father—Elton is 78 now—comes with some heavy stuff.
He doesn't shy away from the hard conversations. In his 2024 documentary Never Too Late, he touched on a topic most celebs won't touch: his kids' fear of him dying. Since he had them in his 60s, the boys are acutely aware that their "Daddy" is older than their friends' parents.
"They think about my mortality," Elton admitted. It's heavy. But it's also why he quit the road. He’s finished with the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. No more three-year global treks. Now, it’s about being there for the teenage years.
Parenting without the "Smacking"
Elton’s parenting philosophy is basically the exact opposite of his own upbringing. He’s gone on record saying there is "no fear, no smacking, nothing" in their house.
Instead, it’s about:
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- Tactile love: Lots of hugs and being physically present.
- Discipline through conversation: Setting boundaries without the 1950s-style "seen but not heard" rule.
- Shared interests: The boys are big into soccer (football). Elton has owned Watford FC since 1976, and he’s often spotted at matches with the boys, all of them wearing matching blue jerseys.
What This Means for Elton's Legacy
So, does Elton John have kids? Yes, and they are arguably the biggest reason the music world has seen a "softer" version of the star lately.
He’s not just a musician anymore; he’s a guy who worries about screen time and school grades. He has even mentioned he wants to live long enough to see them get married and have their own children.
If you're looking for the "actionable" takeaway from Elton's journey, it's this: It is never too late to rewrite your family story. You aren't destined to repeat the mistakes of your parents. You can be the "duck suit" guy and still end up being the "stable, loving dad" guy.
If you want to keep up with the family's rare public outings, keep an eye on David Furnish's social media rather than Elton's—David tends to share the more "everyday" glimpses of their life together.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch: The 2024 documentary Elton John: Never Too Late for a raw look at his fears regarding fatherhood.
- Read: Elton's 2022 letter to his sons in TIME magazine; it’s basically a masterclass in emotional vulnerability.
- Follow: Look for updates on Watford FC matches; it's the most likely place to see the trio out in the wild.