Sir Elton John, 76, raises his two sons not to be spoiled as they already do chores for some pocket money

David Furnish, Sir Elton John’s spouse, and they have been together for more than 20 years. The couple is also raising their two boys, Zackary and Elijah, to be modest and aware of the worth of money.

Famed artist Sir Elton John has released thirty-two albums to far and shows no signs of slowing down. Even at seventy-three, the vocalist continues to be in high demand.

Sir Elton John and David Furnish in London in 2001 | Source: Getty Images

David Furnish and Sir Elton John in London in 2001 | Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Despite having a successful career for more than thirty years, the musician wants to concentrate on other areas of his life, such as his marriage to David Furnish and his two sons, Zachary and Elijah.

A brief romance blossomed between John and Furnish in 1993, before their lives got consumed with parenting their sons. The singer of “Sacrifice” announced that he had moved back into his Windsor home and was looking to socialize.

John then requested a friend to invite Furnish and other individuals to dinner, saying he felt an immediate connection with Furnish. John admired how well-groomed and reserved he was.

After going on a date the next day, the two’s long-term relationship officially started. After nine years of being in a civil partnership, they made the decision to tie the knot in 2014.

The pair used Instagram to send out invites. The highlight of the day was spending time with their sons, who had the important duty of serving as ring carriers.

Furnish and John found great joy in sharing their partnership with their children, particularly considering the difficult road they had to go to become parents. It all began in 2009 when they were acquainted at an HIV orphanage with a young boy from Ukraine named Lev.

Lev came from a shattered family, so the couple wanted to help him, but the government wouldn’t let it because he was too old. Still, the couple assisted Lev and spoke with him.

John came to the realization that he may be a father after meeting Lev. He acknowledged that he had always believed he was too old to have children. Zachary, their first son, was born in 2010 through a surrogate, and Elijah followed in 2013.

Bringing Up Children Outside of the Media
The couple desired to be actively involved with their children while leading a hectic lifestyle. “We don’t want to entrust housekeepers and nannies with raising our kids,” Furnish stated. The couple decided that having boys was the best course of action, and now their primary objective is to raise their sons in a happy and healthy environment.

John expressed to his sons in a touching letter how much they had altered his life. “You two are the best gifts I have ever received, Zachary and Elijah. In ways I never imagined imaginable, you have given my life meaning and purpose and filled my heart with love,” the singer added.

Furnish and John are content with the lovely family they have created. The love and support their children will always have from their parents is something they do not want them to forget as they grow older.

John talked candidly about how becoming a parent has altered his outlook on life and some of the values he and his spouse want their kids to grow up with.

John talked about how having children affected his attitude toward money. Having two children of his own now, he values his time with Zachary and Elijah more than a popular song or artwork.

The singer acknowledged that because he and Furnish were used to living as the center of attention, they had spent a lot of money before having children. However, John claimed that since their sons arrived, they had drastically cut back on their spending.

The couple’s current concern is ensuring that they own only what they require. Additionally, the couple has been instilling in their kids the importance of money and the labor required to acquire it.

Although John is aware that his kids have a privileged existence already, he still wishes they had humility. The artist has stated that he does not intend to leave them his whole estate as a result. Rather, he aims to strike a balance between providing his kids with a wonderful life and keeping them grounded. He thought to himself:

Naturally, I would like to leave my boys in a very secure financial situation. But giving children a silver spoon is a poor idea. Their lives is ruined by it.

John has attempted to instill in the boys an appreciation for money since they were young children. Zachary and Elijah may not have realized how well-known their parents were at the age of five and three, but John and Furnish did teach them a valuable lesson about budgeting.

The singer said in 2016 that doing chores around the house, such the kitchen or garden, would earn them £3 ($3.74) in pocket money. Each coin would then be divided between savings, spending, and charity. As they grew older, their responsibilities included tidying their rooms, and they received stars for each task completed.

Although the couple is aware that their children would not have a typical childhood, they nevertheless make an effort to give their lives some degree of normalcy. According to John, his children are “not stuck behind the gates of a mansion,” but rather live like locals.

When questioned if he was afraid of having his kids in the spotlight, he replied that he knew there would be drawbacks but that he didn’t mind at all because he thought people were “brilliant” and “not hostile,” especially when they wanted to see pictures of him and his family.

The musician and his spouse would take their kids to the movies or out for pizza because they want them to spend quality time with their family somewhere else than their mansion.

Because of his celebrity, John does not want to miss out on special times with his kids. The musician is also prompt in picking up and dropping off his youngsters at school.

Elton John Flaunts His Offspring
The “Rocket Man” singer posted a unique picture of Furnish, their sons, and their godmother, Lady Gaga, on social media, while John and his spouse typically don’t post any pictures of their sons online. The musician conveyed his love despite expressing his regret at missing the opportunity to picture with them.

Comment on Elton John's page | Source: Instagram/eltonjohn

On Elton John’s page, leave a remark | Source: Instagram/eltonjohn
Fans expressed disbelief at Zachary and Elijah’s growth in the comment section. “However, the boys are growing quite tall.” Very attractive tiny fellas, a commenter commented. Another admirer exclaimed, “Look at these gorgeous boys and their pappa and Godma!”

John expressed to his sons in a touching letter how much they had altered his life. “You two are the best gifts I have ever received, Zachary and Elijah. In ways I never imagined imaginable, you have given my life meaning and purpose and filled my heart with love,” the singer added.

Furnish and John are content with the lovely family they have created. The love and support their children will always have from their parents is something they do not want them to forget as they grow older.

My Boyfriend Dumped Me for My Mom and Thought He Would Get Away With It, but He Had No Idea What Was Coming — Story of the Day

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

When my boyfriend dumped me for the one person I trusted most—my own mother—I thought the pain would break me. He believed he could betray me and walk away without facing the consequences. But what he didn’t know was that I had no intention of letting him get away with it.

They say no relationship is perfect, and for a long time, I believed that about Travis and me. Sure, we argued sometimes.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Travis could be distant, dismissive, and had a bad habit of making everything about himself. But we had love, or at least I thought we did.

He used to bring me coffee in bed—just how I liked it, with a splash of oat milk and two sugars.

He’d leave little sticky notes on the fridge that said things like “You got this” or “Smile, today’s yours.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

And sometimes, when we lay in bed, he’d play songs on his phone and whisper, “This one reminds me of you.”

I told myself that love wasn’t about perfection, but about holding on through imperfections.

We’d been living together for almost a year. I honestly believed we were building something strong, something real.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

My mother, Linda, came over often. She always said she just wanted to help.

She’d bring homemade chicken soup, fold our laundry when I hadn’t gotten around to it, and offer advice about things I never asked for—like how to decorate the living room or cook rice without it sticking.

I appreciated it, really. At least, I used to. I even felt lucky to have a mom who cared enough to be around.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Until that one awful afternoon. I left work early. My head was pounding, and all I wanted was to lie down in the quiet and rest before making dinner.

But as soon as I stepped inside, I heard soft music playing in the living room, and voices—low, familiar voices.

I thought maybe Travis was watching TV. Then I walked in and saw him. Travis was kissing my mother. His hands rested on her waist. She was smiling. And my world broke in half.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What the hell is going on?!” I shouted. My voice cracked. I had never heard myself that loud. My chest was tight. My hands were shaking.

Travis sighed. He looked annoyed. Not guilty. Not sorry. “Rachel, I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

He didn’t move. He didn’t even step back. He just stood there like this wasn’t a big deal.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Linda crossed her arms. She tilted her head like I was a child throwing a fit. “You always make everything a crisis,” she said. “We were going to tell you.”

My mouth dropped open. I felt heat rise to my face. “You were going to what, exactly? Sit me down like it’s some family meeting and say, ‘Surprise, we’re a couple now’? You’re my mother!”

I stepped toward them. My voice shook. “How could you do this to me?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Linda didn’t flinch. Her voice stayed cold. “Travis deserves someone who listens to him. Someone who isn’t constantly exhausted or nagging. Maybe if you had been more of a woman, this wouldn’t have happened.”

I stared at her. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

Travis spoke next. “You haven’t exactly been easy to live with, Rachel. You shut down every time we had a real conversation. Linda gets me.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

It felt like a punch to the gut. I looked at him like he was a stranger. I grabbed his coat from the chair and threw it at him. “Get out. Both of you.”

They didn’t argue. They walked past me like I was nothing. I didn’t cry. I couldn’t. I just stood there, frozen, in the middle of the room, surrounded by silence.

The nausea started two days later. At first, I blamed it on the stress, the shock, the pain that came from watching my own mother walk away with the man I loved.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

My stomach had been in knots since that afternoon, so throwing up didn’t seem strange.

But when I got sick for the third time that morning, something inside me whispered that this was more than just heartbreak.

I drove to the pharmacy in silence. My hands were cold on the steering wheel.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I bought two pregnancy tests and took them as soon as I got home. Both showed two lines.

I stared at them, hoping I was wrong. I went back and bought four more. It felt silly, but I needed to be sure.

Back home, I sat on the cold bathroom floor, surrounded by six tests. All of them said the same thing.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: AI

For illustration purposes only. | Source: AI

I was pregnant. With Travis’s child. The same man who kissed my mother. The same man who left me like I meant nothing.

I waited three more days before I called him. I stared at my phone for a long time. My hands felt heavy. My heart beat fast. When he picked up, I didn’t waste time.

“I’m pregnant,” I said.

There was silence on the other end. Then he finally spoke. “Are you sure?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Six tests,” I said. “They all say the same thing.”

He didn’t say much after that. Just told me he was coming over. I didn’t tell him not to.

That evening, he showed up at my door. He held a small paper bag. His face looked tired. He had that same blank expression he wore the year he forgot my birthday.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I brought some stuff,” he said. He put the bag on the counter. “Crackers, ginger tea. I looked up what helps.”

I didn’t move. I crossed my arms. “You think snacks fix betrayal?”

He looked at me like I was being unfair. “I’m trying to be involved. You always say I don’t show up. Well, I’m here now.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I stared at him. “You’re here because you got caught.”

Over the next week, Travis kept showing up like nothing had happened. He asked if I had called the doctor yet.

He wanted to know if I liked the name Ella for a girl or Jacob for a boy. He talked about baby clothes and cribs like we were a normal couple.

Sometimes he asked how I was feeling or if I needed anything. Other times, he just sat on the couch and talked about his job like old times.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t understand what he was doing or why he was trying. But I didn’t stop him. I still needed time.

Then one evening, my phone rang. I saw her name on the screen, and for a moment I just stared at it. Something inside me already knew this call would hurt. Still, I answered.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Linda said. Her voice was light and sweet, but I could hear the sharp edge underneath. “Just wanted to let you know—I’m pregnant too.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I froze. I held the phone against my ear, but I couldn’t speak. I felt like the air had been knocked out of me.

“You heard me,” she said again. “And in case you’re wondering, yes, I planned it. I knew you’d try to pull him back with your little surprise. So I made sure he’d stay with me.”

I didn’t reply. I didn’t ask anything. I ended the call and set the phone down slowly. My fingers were stiff, and my whole body felt cold.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

That night, Travis walked in like he always did. He didn’t even knock. He sat on the edge of the couch and looked at me, like he wasn’t sure what version of me he’d get.

“Did she tell you?” he asked, his voice low.

“Did you think she wouldn’t?” I asked back. My voice came out steady, though I felt like screaming.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Travis let out a breath and rubbed his hands together. “I don’t know what to do. I didn’t sign up for two kids. I’m barely managing my own life.”

I looked him straight in the eye. “Then maybe you should have thought about that before sleeping with two women in the same family.”

He shook his head. “I’m just saying… maybe this doesn’t have to be so complicated. You have options.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“You think I should make this easier for you by getting rid of my baby?”

“I’m just saying it might be for the best. You’re not in a good place right now. You’re overwhelmed.”

I walked to the door and pulled it open. “Get out. Now.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Rachel, don’t be like this. We can figure something out.”

“I said get out!” I shouted. “And if you ever tell me what to do with my body again, I swear to God—”

Travis left, slamming the door so hard the walls seemed to shake. I stood frozen, my hands trembling at my sides.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Then the tears came. Not slow or soft, but hard and sharp. My knees gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor.

The sobs tore through me, loud and painful. I couldn’t catch my breath. I pressed my face to the floor, trying to stop shaking, but I couldn’t.

I cried for everything—the man I thought loved me, the baby I hadn’t planned for, and the mother who had turned into a stranger.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

When the sun came up, I felt different. Not better. Just colder. Something inside me had shut off.

The girl who hoped, who trusted, was gone. I wasn’t going to beg Travis to stay. I wasn’t going to call Linda and ask why.

I was going to raise this baby alone. They had made their choice. Now it was my turn.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I sat at the kitchen table and wrote a letter. I didn’t read it over. I folded it, grabbed my keys, and drove to Linda’s house. My plan was simple—leave the letter and walk away.

But when I opened the door, Travis was there, dragging a suitcase down the hall.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice sharp as I stepped into the hallway. My heart was already pounding. I could see his suitcase halfway zipped.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Travis flinched. He didn’t turn to face me right away. “I was just getting some stuff,” he mumbled.

I didn’t stop. I walked straight past him and pulled the suitcase open. Right on top were two plane tickets. I grabbed them and held them up.

“Plane tickets?” I said. “You’re running away.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Travis rubbed his face. He looked tired. “I can’t deal with this anymore. Linda’s been insane since she found out. She won’t stop talking about the baby. She’s always watching me. She keeps asking about names, nursery colors, everything. I feel trapped.”

“You weren’t going to tell her, were you?” I asked. “You were just going to leave without a word.”

He looked down. “I was going to send a message once I got out. I didn’t plan for any of this. You both made it messy.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I stared at him, feeling my stomach twist. “You cheated. You lied. You played with people’s lives. And now you’re blaming us?”

Travis shook his head. “You’re both impossible. I’m tired of being the bad guy all the time.”

“You are the bad guy,” I said. My voice was low, but it didn’t shake. “You made this mess, and now you want to run from it.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His eyes narrowed. “You act like you’re better than me. You’ve treated me like trash since all this started.”

“You humiliated me. You broke everything. And now you’re doing it to her too. You think that makes you a victim?”

He raised his voice. “Maybe I’m not cut out to be a dad. Maybe I never was.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Without saying anything, I ripped the tickets in half. I threw the pieces on the floor. I stood still for a moment, breathing through the rage, then pulled out my phone.

“Linda,” I said when she answered. “Your perfect man is standing here with a suitcase and a ticket out of your life. Thought you should know.” I hung up before she could respond.

Travis stared at me. “What the hell was that?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Consequences,” I said. “You’ll hear from my lawyer. You’re paying for both children. Whether you like it or not.”

I walked past him without looking back. I left the torn-up letter on the table where he could see it and know I had meant to be kind, but changed my mind.

I stepped outside and felt the sun hit my face. The air smelled fresh, like a new start. For the first time in weeks, I felt steady on my feet.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

As I drove home, the tight feeling in my chest began to fade. The pain was still there, but it wasn’t crushing me anymore.

I didn’t know what kind of mother I would become. I had no plan, no clear answers. But I knew one thing for sure—I would never again let someone make me feel small or unworthy.

Travis and Linda had taken so much from me. I had lost the man I loved and the woman who raised me. But I had found something stronger than both of them. I had found myself.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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