Time moves fast, but in the world of Elton John, it seems to move at warp speed. It feels like only yesterday the world was buzzing about the "Rocket Man" singer becoming a first-time dad in his sixties. Now, we’re looking at a household with two actual teenagers. If you've been wondering how old are Elton John’s children lately, the answer might make you feel a little bit ancient yourself.
As of early 2026, Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish are officially navigating the choppy waters of the teenage years. Their eldest, Zachary Jackson Furnish-John, is 15 years old. Their younger son, Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, just hit the big 13 this January.
It’s a far cry from the days of toddler tantrums and playground playdates. The boys are growing up, and they're doing it mostly out of the blistering heat of the paparazzi lens, which is exactly how Elton and David planned it.
The Milestone Ages: Zachary and Elijah in 2026
The math is pretty straightforward, but the milestones are what really matter. Zachary was a Christmas baby, born via surrogate on December 25, 2010. That means he spent the end of 2025 celebrating a decade and a half on this planet. He’s right in the middle of those high school years where everything is high stakes and probably a little bit embarrassing when your dad is a global icon.
💡 You might also like: Erika Kirk Married Before: What Really Happened With the Rumors
Elijah followed a few years later, born on January 11, 2013. He officially joined the teen club just a couple of weeks ago. Honestly, having two teenagers in the house at 78—which is Elton's current age—sounds like a recipe for a lot of noise and probably a fair amount of "Dad, please don't wear that" whenever they leave the house.
Quick Age Snapshot
- Zachary Jackson Furnish-John: 15 years old (Born Dec 25, 2010)
- Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John: 13 years old (Born Jan 11, 2013)
Why Elton Quit the Road for These Boys
You can't talk about how old Elton John's children are without mentioning the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. That massive, years-long goodbye wasn't just about him being tired of singing "Bennie and the Jets" for the ten-thousandth time. It was a calculated move to be home for exactly this phase of their lives.
David Furnish has been pretty vocal about this. He’s mentioned in interviews that the "teenage decade" is the most critical. They didn't want to be in a hotel room in Tokyo while Zachary was learning to drive or Elijah was navigating his first year of being a teenager. Elton himself has said that his "stardom" doesn't mean a thing compared to being there for the school run. It’s a sentiment that resonates, even if most of us aren't doing the school run in a custom Bentley.
📖 Related: Bobbie Gentry Today Photo: Why You Won't Find One (And Why That Matters)
Growing Up in the Spotlight (Sort Of)
Even though they're the sons of one of the most famous men in history, Zachary and Elijah have had a relatively "normal" upbringing—well, as normal as it gets when Lady Gaga is your "Gagamother."
They’ve made very rare public appearances lately. One of the most recent was a New Year's Eve party hosted by Donatella Versace to ring in 2026. Photos from the event showed the boys looking incredibly dapper in suits, standing nearly as tall as their parents. People on social media went nuts because, for the longest time, Elton and David only shared photos of the back of the boys' heads to protect their privacy. Seeing them as young men was a bit of a shock to the system for long-time fans.
Their Interests and Personalities
Elton has joked before that the boys aren't necessarily following in his musical footsteps. Instead of sitting at the piano all day, they’re "sport mad."
👉 See also: New Zac Efron Pics: Why Everyone Is Talking About His 2026 Look
- Football (Soccer): Zachary has spent time in the Watford FC Academy. Elton has a lifelong connection to the club, but Zachary seems to have the actual talent on the pitch.
- Normalcy: They don't have iPads or video games glued to their hands 24/7. Elton has mentioned they spend a lot of time outdoors, which is kind of refreshing for kids growing up in 2026.
The Surrogate and the Family Bond
Both boys were born via the same surrogate in California. While her identity remains a tightly guarded secret, Elton and David have always described her as a part of the family. They didn't just want kids; they wanted a legacy of love.
There were plenty of critics back in 2010 who thought Elton was "too old" to be a dad. But looking at the family now, those arguments feel pretty dated. The boys seem grounded, athletic, and surprisingly low-key. Elton’s 2024 documentary, Never Too Late, gave a few glimpses into this family dynamic, showing a man who is clearly more obsessed with his kids' happiness than his next number-one hit.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you're following the Furnish-John family journey, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding their public presence:
- Respect the Privacy: You won't find the boys on public Instagram accounts of their own just yet. Elton and David are very protective of their digital footprint.
- Watch for Watford: If you’re a sports fan, keep an eye on the Watford youth rosters. Zachary’s involvement there is one of the few places he’s "just one of the guys."
- Support the Foundation: Much of what Elton does now is geared toward the Elton John AIDS Foundation, often citing his children as the reason he wants to leave the world a better, safer place.
Understanding how old Elton John's children are is really about understanding a new chapter for the singer. He’s moved from the stage to the sidelines of a soccer field, and by all accounts, he couldn't be happier. Whether or not the boys eventually step into the limelight themselves remains to be seen, but for now, they're just two teenagers living a very shiny, but very loved, life.