In a heartening development for fans worldwide, the daughters of legendary singer Michael Bolton have shared a positive update on his health as he continues his fight against an aggressive brain cancer.
A Family's Caregiving Journey
The 72-year-old Grammy-winning baritone was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain cancer, two years ago. In a recent video interview with AARP.org, his daughters Isa, 50, and Taryn, 46, opened up about his current condition. This comes over a year after Bolton underwent two major surgeries and numerous treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, to remove a tumour.
"We're proud and happy to update anyone who has been interested in following [our dad's] journey that he is in very good spirits and very good health," Isa shared. She added, "He has a lot of challenges, and we do have great days and some tough days, but in general, he's very strong. His mobility and cognition have been terrific."
Shared Responsibilities and Caregiver Roles
Isa and Taryn, along with their sister Holly, 48, have been caring for their father. The sisters explained they each fulfil different caregiving roles to manage the responsibilities. "We each help to honour him in various ways," Isa said. One sister focuses on meticulous daily care, while another prioritises companionship and his emotional wellbeing.
As a family, they collectively handle business and professional matters. However, the sisters candidly admitted to experiencing 'caregiver fatigue,' which Isa described as a "unique experience." Taryn emphasised the importance of self-care, stating, "It's important to be good to yourself so that you can give the best care to your loved ones."
Finding Gratitude and Family Time
Despite the difficult glioblastoma diagnosis, which the Mayo Clinic notes can "grow quickly and invade and destroy healthy tissue," the family has found silver linings. Bolton's pause from work to focus on his health has led to precious family time.
"We probably had more meals with him in two years than we have our entire 50 years," Isa revealed. Bolton, who shares his three daughters with ex-wife Maureen McGuire, lives in Westport, Connecticut, with them and his six grandchildren.
In a personal statement via email, Bolton expressed profound gratitude: "This past year has tested me in ways I never imagined. My daughters have been constant in a way that grounds me."
The singer's journey began when he experienced unusual symptoms like memory loss and headaches in late 2023, leading to his diagnosis. He underwent emergency brain surgery in December 2023 and a second procedure in January 2024 due to an infection. He completed his treatments in October 2024.
While his most recent MRI scan was clear, Bolton requires monitoring every two months due to glioblastoma's high recurrence rate. The singer remains defiantly optimistic, telling AARP earlier this year, "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."
