John Tesh Defies Medical Expectations in Prostate Cancer Battle
Former Entertainment Tonight co-host John Tesh has made a remarkable revelation about his health journey, disclosing that he has dramatically surpassed the most pessimistic predictions of medical professionals who diagnosed him with an uncommon variant of prostate cancer over ten years ago. The 73-year-old television personality turned celebrated musician continues to live with the disease, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and determination.
Surpassing a Dire Prognosis
In a recent interview with Page Six, Tesh recounted that when he received his diagnosis in 2015, doctors initially estimated he would likely not survive beyond two years. "I was given 18 months to live," Tesh stated candidly. "So, I’ve been fighting cancer successfully, still fighting it. It’s still under treatment, on and off." Despite a decade of successfully combating what he describes as a "rare form of prostate cancer," Tesh clarified that the cancer has now become metastatic. Consequently, he cannot claim to be in remission; instead, his condition is currently classified as stable, though he acknowledges that living with cancer remains "a frightening thought."
Innovative Treatment Approach
To manage his ongoing condition, Tesh explained that his medical team at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston has implemented a start-stop methodology to target the cancer. "They will let it grow for a little bit, and then get me back on treatment, back and forth," Tesh shared. "It’s called pulsing, and it’s scary until you get used to it because it’s like, 'Why am I living with cancer?'" He understandably credited his expert doctors with extending his life far beyond initial expectations, highlighting their crucial role in his survival.
The Vital Support of Family and Faith
Beyond medical intervention, Tesh emphasized the indispensable role of his second wife, Connie Sellecca, in helping him navigate his cancer journey. "Without my wife Connie, who has been my advocate over the years, I wouldn’t be talking," Tesh asserted. "I’d be dead. I would have been dead in 2015." Married since 1992, the couple shares a daughter named Prima. Tesh noted that his wife has been instrumental in nurturing his religious faith, which has profoundly influenced both his personal outlook and his musical career.
"We discovered in 2015 several scriptures in the Bible which were related directly to healing," Tesh revealed. "One of them was Mark 11:23, which was incredibly powerful and I have it tattooed on my arm." This spiritual foundation has provided him with strength and perspective throughout his health challenges.
Maintaining an Active Career
Despite his ongoing health struggles, Tesh has maintained a remarkably active schedule with his musical performances. The composer of the iconic NBA on NBC basketball theme Roundball Rock, he recently performed the tune with his band at the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. This engagement underscores his commitment to his craft and his ability to thrive professionally while managing a serious medical condition.
Reflections on a Past Romance with Oprah Winfrey
In a separate recent interview with Page Six, Tesh reflected on his brief romantic involvement with media mogul Oprah Winfrey during the 1970s. He described the challenges they faced as an interracial couple in that era, noting that it was "very uncomfortable back then for an African-American woman and a very, very white guy" to be dating. Tesh acknowledged that their relationship "was unusual in the South," given his family's Southern background.
Despite the social climate, Tesh said they refused to let external pressures define their relationship. "It became a joke between us," he explained, "because we would work all day and then, like we really saw each other once a week, and she or I would say, 'Hey, which restaurant do you want to empty tonight?'" The pair dated briefly while building their careers in local news in Nashville, Tennessee, before eventually parting ways.
Looking back, Tesh said it was evident from the outset that Winfrey was destined for extraordinary success. "We all knew that she was something special," he shared, adding that he particularly enjoyed when they were assigned to cover the same stories. "It was like, 'OK, this makes this a lot of fun.'" Winfrey would later become one of the most influential media figures globally, while Tesh achieved national fame as a television host and musician.
Oprah's Enduring Partnership
Winfrey has been in a long-term relationship with Stedman Graham since 1986. In 2020, she wrote about their decades-long "spiritual partnership" in her "What I Know For Sure" column for O, The Oprah Magazine. Recalling their initial meeting, Winfrey admitted she thought Graham was a "player" and "too handsome" to be interested in her. However, after reconnecting in 1986, their relationship blossomed.
Winfrey reflected that their bond has endured because Graham created an identity beyond being "Oprah's man," and because they share fundamental values such as integrity. "And because we relish seeing the other fulfill and manifest their destiny and purpose," she concluded, highlighting the mutual support that has sustained their partnership.
