Music icon Barry Manilow has shared a serious health update with his fans, revealing he is facing a battle with lung cancer. The 82-year-old singer disclosed the news via an Instagram post on Monday morning.
A Shocking Discovery After Illness
The 'Copacabana' hitmaker explained that the diagnosis came after he suffered from weeks of bronchitis. A subsequent MRI scan revealed a spot on his lung, which is scheduled to be removed surgically in the near future. This discovery adds to a history of health challenges for the star, who has previously undergone treatment for throat cancer in 2020 and dealt with vocal cord issues and bronchial infections.
A Lifelong Struggle with Smoking
Manilow's diagnosis is linked to a well-documented, decades-long smoking habit. He famously told The Independent that he began smoking at just nine years old while growing up in Brooklyn, eventually consuming up to three packs of non-filter cigarettes a day. Although he quit for a period of 15-20 years, he relapsed after being offered a cigarette in Las Vegas.
Over a decade ago, the singer switched from heavy cigarette use to vaping, a move he says worked for him and members of his crew. "Do they work? They do for me, my band and my crew, all of us who hated smoking but couldn't stop," he told the London Evening Standard. He was photographed using a vape pen in Palm Springs just last week.
The Show Must Go On: Tour Plans and Resilience
Despite the diagnosis, Manilow's legendary energy and commitment to performance appear undimmed. He is currently preparing for a series of US tour dates in January 2026, which will visit nine major cities including Orlando, Tampa, and Columbus. These concerts are billed as his final performances in those specific markets.
The singer, who claims to survive on just four hours of sleep a night, has previously expressed amazement at his own stamina despite his age and past health problems. Following hip surgery, heart issues, bronchial pneumonia, and a mouth tumor, he told the Daily Mirror in 2019, "I'm fine, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm very old, I should not be able to do this."
He credits his love for music as his driving force, stating it is the only thing he knows how to do and remains passionately interested in. Fans can expect the same high-energy performances he has delivered throughout his illustrious career, as he faces this latest health challenge with characteristic determination.
