Michael Bolton, the famous singer who has been performing for over fifty years, recently shared his experience fighting glioblastoma, a rare and fast-growing type of brain cancer. He was diagnosed in December 2023, and since then, his journey has been filled with serious medical struggles as well as strong determination.
His diagnosis came after an emergency brain surgery where doctors were able to remove the entire tumor, something that only happens in about 30 to 40 percent of glioblastoma cases, according to his cancer specialist. However, after this first success, he needed a second surgery in January 2024 to treat an infection that developed after the initial operation, according to TMZ.
As reported by People, Bolton’s treatment included radiation and chemotherapy, which he finished in October 2024. Because glioblastoma is so aggressive and comes back in roughly 90 percent of cases, he must continue regular checkups. He gets an MRI scan every two months to watch for any signs of the cancer returning.
Michael Bolton has brain cancer
Bolton’s latest scan, in early April 2025, showed no signs of the disease. Even though this is good news, the constant risk of the cancer coming back means his fight is far from over. “I want to keep going. I feel there’s still a lot to do on the fight side,” Boldton said. “I got a title for a song: ‘Ain’t Going Down Without a Fight.’ ”
The treatments have affected Bolton’s body in noticeable ways. He has trouble with short-term memory, speaking clearly, and moving around. Instead of letting these challenges stop him, he has committed to a full recovery plan.
This includes daily meditation, playing golf regularly, working with a personal trainer, and taking voice lessons and online therapy sessions to keep his famous singing voice strong. Importantly, he has decided not to ask his doctors for a long-term prediction about his health, choosing instead to stay positive and focused on moving forward.
His family, including his three daughters and six grandchildren, has been a huge source of support. He finds comfort and strength in spending time with them at his home in Westport, Connecticut, joining in on family game nights, and simply being around the people he loves.
Since his diagnosis, Bolton’s thoughts about what he leaves behind have changed. While he once cared most about his long and successful music career, he now focuses more on giving his daughters the tools they need for life, including love and reassurance. Facing his own mortality has made him want to make sure his daughters feel strong and capable. He sees this difficult time as a chance to teach them important lessons and bring the family even closer together.
Bolton said, “How do I give things that they can take forward? 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.”
Published: Apr 30, 2025 11:20 am