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

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.

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

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.

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 Husband Forced Me to Stay Home with Our Sick Kids While He Went on Vacation — He’ll Never Forget the Lesson I Taught Him

When our kids fell ill and couldn’t go on our planned family vacation, my husband just ditched us and went alone. What he didn’t know was that his little “me time” getaway would cost him way more than he bargained for.

I trudged through the front door at 8:30 p.m., my feet throbbing after a grueling twelve-hour shift at the hospital. The cacophony hit me like a wall: cartoons blaring from the TV, Zach and Penny shrieking as they chased each other around the living room.

Children playing indoors rambunctiously | Source: Pexels

Children playing indoors rambunctiously | Source: Pexels

And there was Garrett, sprawled on the couch like a beached whale, beer in hand.

“Hey, babe,” he called out, not bothering to look up from his phone. “Rough day?”

I bit back a sarcastic reply. “You could say that. The ER was a madhouse.” I glanced at the disaster zone of toys and snack wrappers surrounding him. “Did you feed the kids dinner?”

Garrett shrugged. “They had some chips earlier. I figured you’d want to cook when you got home.”

I closed my eyes, counting to ten. This had become our new normal over the past few years. I’d come home from saving lives to find a house in chaos and a husband who couldn’t be bothered to lift a finger.

A woman in a nurse uniform crashed out on a couch | Source: Pexels

A woman in a nurse uniform crashed out on a couch | Source: Pexels

“Mommy!” Penny latched onto my leg, her blonde pigtails askew. “I’m starving!”

I forced a smile. “Okay, sweetie. Let’s get you both some real food.”

As I reheated leftovers, my mind drifted to our upcoming beach vacation. Maybe a change of scenery would help us reconnect, remind Garrett why we fell in love in the first place.

“So, you packed for the trip yet?” I asked, setting plates in front of the kids.

Garrett grunted. “Nah, I’ll throw some stuff in a bag tomorrow. No big deal.”

A man relaxing on a sofa | Source: Pexels

A man relaxing on a sofa | Source: Pexels

I sighed. “We leave in two days, Garrett. A little planning wouldn’t kill you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Relax, it’ll be fine. You worry too much.”

The night before our flight, I woke to the sound of retching. Zach was hunched over the toilet, his face pale and clammy. Within an hour, Penny was sick too.

I gently broke the news to Garrett over breakfast. “We’ll have to postpone the trip. The kids have a nasty stomach bug.”

A couple talking over a meal | Source: Pexels

A couple talking over a meal | Source: Pexels

He froze, fork halfway to his mouth. “What? No way. I’ve been looking forward to this for months!”

“I know, but they’re too sick to travel. We can reschedule”

Garrett’s jaw clenched. “I’m still going.”

I stared at him, sure I’d misheard. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I need this break, Nora. Work’s been insane lately.”

“And my job isn’t?” I snapped. “I’m a nurse, Garrett. I deal with real emergencies every day.”

A woman turning away from a man in frustration | Source: Pexels

A woman turning away from a man in frustration | Source: Pexels

He scoffed. “It’s not a competition. Look, you stay with the kids. I’ll go enjoy the beach for both of us.”

I watched in disbelief as he packed his suitcase, ignoring Zach and Penny’s disappointed faces. As the front door slammed behind him, something inside me snapped.

The next week was hell. I juggled caring for two miserable children, all while stewing in rage every time Garrett sent a smug beach selfie.

A woman cares for a sick child while making notes | Source: Pexels

A woman cares for a sick child while making notes | Source: Pexels

On Friday, my phone buzzed with another photo: Garrett grinning over a fancy cocktail, caption reading “Living the dream!”

That was it. I had had enough, and I had a plan.

I marched into the garage, surveying Garrett’s precious “man cave.” His fishing gear, the boat he’d barely used, piles of expensive junk he’d accumulated over the years. A plan formed in my mind.

I spent the next few hours photographing everything, creating listings on the local buy-and-sell site. Within days, Garrett’s prized possessions were gone, replaced by a fat wad of cash in my purse.

A woman standing in a cluttered garage, surveying fishing gear and a boat | Source: Midjourney

A woman standing in a cluttered garage, surveying fishing gear and a boat | Source: Midjourney

“Guess what, kids?” I announced over breakfast. “We’re going on our own special vacation!”

Their eyes lit up. Zach pumped his fist. “Awesome! Where are we going?”

I grinned. “It’s a surprise. But I promise it’ll be even better than Dad’s boring old beach.”

We arrived at the resort a few days later, the kids bouncing with excitement. As I watched them splash in the pool, I felt lighter than I had in years.

A figure floating leisurely in a tropical resort pool | Source: Pexels

A figure floating leisurely in a tropical resort pool | Source: Pexels

“Mom, watch this!” Zach called, attempting a cannonball. I cheered, then turned to help Penny blow up her water wings.

“You’re a natural with them,” a voice behind me said. I turned to see a woman about my age smiling. “Single mom?”

I hesitated. “It’s… complicated.”

She nodded knowingly. “I’ve been there. I’m Tessa, by the way.”

We chatted as the kids played, swapping stories about work and parenthood. It felt good to connect with someone who understood.

Two women sit by a pool, talking and laughing while children play in the background | Source: Midjourney

Two women sit by a pool, talking and laughing while children play in the background | Source: Midjourney

“So, what’s your story?” Tessa asked, sipping her lemonade.

I sighed. “My husband decided to go on our family vacation without us when the kids got sick. Left me to deal with everything while he partied on the beach.”

Tessa’s eyes widened. “Seriously? What a jerk!”

I nodded. “Yeah, it was the last straw. I’ve been putting up with his selfishness for years, but this — I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

“So what did you do?” she asked.

A close up of a woman sitting beside a resort pool, talking | Source: Midjourney

A close up of a woman sitting beside a resort pool, talking | Source: Midjourney

A mischievous smile crept across my face. “I sold all his precious toys and used the money to bring the kids here.”

Tessa burst out laughing. “Oh my God, that’s brilliant! How’d he take it?”

“He doesn’t know yet,” I admitted. “But I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.”

As if on cue, my phone started buzzing. Garrett’s name flashed on the screen.

“Speaking of the devil,” I muttered. “I should probably take this.”

Tessa gave me an encouraging nod. “Go get ’em, tiger.”

A woman sitting beside a pool looking at her mobile phone | Source: Pexels

A woman sitting beside a pool looking at her mobile phone | Source: Pexels

I stepped away from the pool, taking a deep breath before answering. “Hello?”

“Where the hell is all my stuff?” Garrett shouted, not bothering with a greeting.

I leaned against a palm tree, surprisingly calm. “Oh, you noticed? I thought you’d be too busy ‘living the dream’ to care.”

“Don’t play games, Nora. What did you do?”

“I sold it,” I said simply. “All of it. Your precious fishing rods, that boat you never use, everything.”

A woman talking on a mobile phone beside a resort pool | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking on a mobile phone beside a resort pool | Source: Midjourney

There was a moment of stunned silence. Then, “You what? How could you!”

“How could I?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “How could you abandon your sick children for a beach vacation? How could you ignore everything I do for this family?”

“That’s different! I work hard to provide for you.”

“And I don’t?” I shot back. “I’m done, Garrett. Done with your selfishness, done with being taken for granted.”

He sputtered, “What are you saying?”

A man making a mobile phone call using earbuds | Source: Pexels

A man making a mobile phone call using earbuds | Source: Pexels

I took a deep breath. “I’m saying I want a divorce.”

The line went quiet. When Garrett spoke again, his voice was low and dangerous. “You’ll regret this, Nora. I’ll make sure of it.”

I hung up, my hands shaking. Part of me wanted to cry, to mourn the life we’d built together. But a larger part felt… free.

I walked back to the pool, where Tessa was indulging in a cocktail.

“Everything okay?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

A woman reclining beside a pool, cocktail in hand | Source: Pexels

A woman reclining beside a pool, cocktail in hand | Source: Pexels

I nodded, managing a small smile. “Yeah, I think it will be. I just told my husband I want a divorce.”

Tessa’s eyes widened. “Wow, that’s huge. How do you feel?”

“Scared,” I admitted. “But also relieved? Like I can finally breathe again.”

She squeezed my hand. “That’s totally normal. Trust me, it gets better.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing with the kids, building elaborate sandcastles and splashing in the waves. For the first time in years, I felt genuinely happy.

A child playing on a beach | Source: Pexels

A child playing on a beach | Source: Pexels

That night, as I tucked the kids into bed, Zach looked up at me with serious eyes. “Mom, are you and Dad getting divorced?”

My breath caught in my throat. “Why do you ask that, sweetie?”

He shrugged. “I heard you on the phone. And you seem happier here without him.”

I sat on the edge of his bed, choosing my words carefully. “Your dad and I have been having problems for a while now. We’re going to try to work things out, but… yes, we might get divorced.”

A woman sits with a young boy wearing a serious expression | Source: Midjourney

A woman sits with a young boy wearing a serious expression | Source: Midjourney

Zach nodded solemnly. “Okay. As long as you’re happy, Mom. That’s what matters.”

Tears pricked my eyes as I hugged him tight. “When did you get so wise, huh?”

After the kids were asleep, I stood on the balcony, watching the moonlight dance on the waves. My phone buzzed with a text from Garrett:

“This isn’t over. I’ll see you in court.”

A pair of hands holding a mobile phone | Source: Pexels

A pair of hands holding a mobile phone | Source: Pexels

I took a deep breath, letting the ocean air fill my lungs. The road ahead would be tough, but I felt ready to face whatever came my way.

As I crawled into bed, I thought about the uncertain future ahead of us. It was terrifying, yes, but also exhilarating. For the first time in years, I felt like I was taking control of my life.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, I let the sound of the ocean lull me to sleep, dreaming of the fresh start waiting on the horizon.

A tropical resort setting at night | Source: Pexels

A tropical resort setting at night | Source: Pexels

What would you have done? If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you about a woman whose husband left her and her kids alone with heavy luggage while he was with friends, so she taught him a harsh lesson.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*