Michael Bolton Shares Update on His Brain Cancer Battle: “Succumbing … Is Not an Option”

Lauren Novak April 30, 2:29 pm

Singer Michael Bolton performs onstage at the fourth annual UNICEF Audrey Hepburn® Society Ball on May 24, 2017 in Houston, Texas — Bob Levey/Getty Images for UNICEF

72-year-old singer Michael Bolton recently gave fans an update on his ongoing cancer battle. In 2023, he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma, and underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. While the health challenge hasn’t been easy and has left him heavily relying on his children and grandchildren, Bolton is keeping a positive attitude despite seeing challenges with his speech, short-term memory and mobility.

He told PEOPLE, “You’re reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought. Succumbing to the challenge is not an option. You’re really quickly drawn into a duel. I guess that’s the way you find out what you’re made of.”

Paul Natkin/NBC/Everett Collection

Bolton underwent a second brain surgery in January 2024 and finished radiation and chemotherapy treatment in October. As of now, his tumor has not returned, but he monitors his health with MRIs every two months. Since dealing with health issues and being forced to cancel his tour, he has been staying at his home in Westport, Conn., spending a lot of time with his family. He continues to work on his voice, taking voice lessons and voice therapy; to relax, he enjoys golf and meditation.

He added, “Whenever you find yourself in any kind of challenging position, just to know that you’re not alone going through it is a big deal. It actually helps people to know. It reminds them that they’re not alone.”

Michael Bolton performs onstage during the 49th Daytime Emmy Awards at Pasadena Convention Center on June 24, 2022 in Pasadena, California

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Today, Bolton is less concerned with his career, and more focused on sharing life lessons that his children and grandchildren can take with them when he’s gone. He concluded, “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. It’s a reality of mortality. Suddenly a new light has gone on that raises questions, including ‘Am I doing the best that I can do with my time?’ I want to keep going. I feel there’s still a lot to do on the fight side. I got a title for a song: ‘Ain’t Going Down Without a Fight.’ ”