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You’ve seen the photos of the flamboyant glasses, the sparkly capes, and the legendary stadium bows. But for the last few years, the biggest part of Elton John’s life hasn't been the "Rocket Man" persona—it’s been being a dad.
Finding the real story on an elton john son is actually kind of a trip because there are two of them, and their lives are way more grounded than you’d expect for kids with a $500 million inheritance waiting in the wings. Honestly, it’s one of the most successful "normal" upbringings in Hollywood history.
Meet Zachary and Elijah: The Boys Who Changed Everything
Sir Elton and his husband, David Furnish, have two sons. There’s Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, who arrived on Christmas Day in 2010. Then came Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John in January 2013.
They were both born via the same surrogate, a woman Elton has described as being "like a sister" to them. It’s a tight-knit unit.
The names aren't just random, either. "Levon" and "Daniel" are direct nods to Elton’s iconic discography. If you’re a fan, you already know the songs. But despite the musical names, these kids aren't living in a recording studio.
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Just recently, in early 2026, we got a rare look at the boys during a New Year’s Eve celebration with Donatella Versace. People were shocked. Zachary is 15 now. Elijah is 13. They aren't the little kids in matching tiny suits anymore. They’re basically young men, and they’ve spent most of their lives tucked away in Old Windsor, England, staying out of the paparazzi’s crosshairs.
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The "No Silver Spoon" Rule
You’d think being the son of a global icon means 24/7 private jets and gold-plated everything. Nope.
Elton has been super vocal about not wanting to "ruin" his kids with wealth. He’s seen what happens to "celebrity brats," and he’s not having it. Basically, he and David have a strict pocket money system.
- The boys get £3 a week.
- One pound goes to charity.
- One pound goes to savings.
- One pound is for spending.
It sounds almost too simple to be true, but they actually have to do chores to earn it. We’re talking helping in the kitchen and tidying up the garden. Elton once told The Guardian that while they live a comfortable life, they aren't "spoilt" when it comes to the rules.
Their Famous "Gagamother"
If you’re wondering who watches the kids when Elton and David are busy, the answer is Lady Gaga. No, really.
She is the godmother to both Zachary and Elijah. Elton calls her "Gagamother." She used to come over and sing them to sleep or give them baths while dressed like Audrey Hepburn. It sounds wild, but it’s their reality.
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Other family friends? David and Victoria Beckham. Elton is actually the godfather to Brooklyn and Romeo Beckham, so the families are incredibly close.
The Retirement Question
A lot of people wondered why Elton John finally called it quits on touring with the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. The answer is simple: he didn't want to miss any more of his sons’ lives.
He realized that by the time he finished a massive multi-year tour, the boys would be teenagers. He wanted to be the one taking them to school, not seeing them on FaceTime from a dressing room in Berlin.
He’s admitted in interviews—especially in the recent documentary Never Too Late—that the boys worry about his age. He’s 78 now. They want their "Daddy" around forever. That’s a heavy thing for a 13-year-old to carry, and it’s why he’s prioritized being home in Windsor over being on stage.
Football Over Fame
Surprisingly, neither son seems particularly interested in becoming the next big pop star.
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They’re obsessed with football. Specifically, Watford FC.
Elton has been involved with the club for decades, and he’s passed that fever down. Zachary has even played for the Watford Academy youth team. Instead of hanging out at Coachella, you’re more likely to find them in the stands at a rainy football match on a Saturday afternoon.
Growing Up in the Spotlight
Privacy is a big deal for this family. For years, Elton and David would only post photos of the back of the boys' heads. They wanted them to have a choice about when they entered the public eye.
Now that they’re 15 and 13, that’s shifting a bit. We see them at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars parties, and they look comfortable. They handle the cameras with a weird amount of grace for kids their age.
What’s Next for the Furnish-John Family?
As Zachary enters his mid-teens, the focus is squarely on education and "being their own people," as David Furnish put it. They aren't being homeschooled anymore; they’re in regular schools because their parents want them to have real-world social skills.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep up with the family without invading their privacy, your best bet is following David Furnish’s Instagram. He tends to share the "dad moments" that Elton usually keeps private. You can also watch the documentary Elton John: Never Too Late to see the candid footage of their home life—it’s probably the most honest look we’ll ever get at the real people behind the "Rocket Man" legend.