Sir Elton John offered a rare and heartfelt glimpse into his family life during the unveiling of a serene new portrait at London's prestigious National Portrait Gallery. The legendary singer, aged 78, who typically maintains a private stance regarding his personal affairs, expressed immense pride in his two sons, Zachary, 15, and Elijah, 13, whom he shares with his husband David Furnish, 63.
A Moment of Personal Pride
Speaking fondly at the event, Elton John remarked, 'It's a very proud moment for me. Because I am so proud of my children. I'm so proud of David. And I'm so proud of Cathy, she's a wonderful photographer. I collect her works.' He elaborated on his admiration for photographer Catherine Opie, recalling, 'Yes, I remember when I went to her house and I bought a picture, a photograph of her son Ollie, with a little mouse coming out of his sleeve and I've collected her ever since, she's an astonishing photographer. It's an honour to have her done this.'
The Portrait and Its Significance
The intimate portrait, captured by acclaimed photographer Catherine Opie, features the Furnish-John family in their lavish Old Windsor home. It depicts Elton, David, their two sons, and their beloved Labradors, Joseph and Jacob. The artwork is now on display in the gallery's Mary Weston Gallery, coinciding with the opening of the exhibition Catherine Opie: To Be Seen.
Sir Elton and David Furnish jointly stated, 'To have our family photographed by Catherine Opie and on display at the National Portrait Gallery is a huge honour. We are huge admirers of her work and proud to have her beautiful and poignant images in our collection.'
Family Background and Advocacy
The couple entered a civil partnership in 2005, welcomed Zachary via surrogacy in 2010, followed by Elijah in 2013, and subsequently married in 2014. Beyond their family life, Elton and David have been long-standing advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and have campaigned vigorously to tackle HIV/AIDS through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, raising substantial funds for life-saving programmes.
Photographer's Perspective
Catherine Opie shared her experience, saying, 'I arrived at Elton and David's house three days before Christmas. I met the boys and the dogs and after a great lunch together, I made this family portrait of them in their library. It is truly an honour to photograph Elton, David, Zachary and Elijah. For me, it represents the humanity of what family can be.'
Gallery Director's Comments
Victoria Siddall, director of the National Portrait Gallery, emphasised the portrait's cultural importance: 'The National Portrait Gallery's Collection exists to share portraits of the people who have shaped the history and culture of the UK, from the Tudor times to today. The people on our walls, and the stories we tell about them, are a source of inspiration for the millions of people who come through our doors, and particularly the many young people who visit every year.'
She added, 'I am delighted to welcome this important portrait of the Furnish-John family by Catherine Opie into our Collection. It celebrates not only Sir Elton John's extraordinary achievements in music but also the vital humanitarian and philanthropic work that he and David have undertaken in recent decades, and the family they have built together.'
Reflections on Family and Future
In a poignant reflection from earlier discussions, Elton John had expressed concerns about his longevity, stating he might 'not be around' to see his sons marry. This sentiment was captured during the filming of his final tour for the Disney+ documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, where he shared his desire to leave touring behind to 'dedicate more time to raising my children'. David Furnish admitted, 'That really upset me, because in my mind I sort of think Elton is going to live for ever – we all think that – and Elton is so vibrant that it's an easy thing to believe, but it forces you to confront that.'
