Michael Bolton Breaks Silence About His Aggressive Brain Cancer Diagnosis in Emotional First Interview (Exclusive)

The singer opens up to PEOPLE in this week’s cover about facing his glioblastoma diagnosis with his family by his side and his sense of humor intact

Michael Bolton’s voice has seen him through the best and worst times of his life. That soulful baritone helped him sell more than 75 million records and earned him two Grammys throughout his 50-year career—and after he awoke from emergency brain surgery on Dec. 4, 2023, it served as a beacon of hope amid uncertainty. 

“He was in recovery in the hospital room singing within minutes,” his daughter Holly, 47, recalls. “I remember one of the nurses [at the hospital] had no idea who he was, and she’s like, ‘Do you know he sings like this?'”

That moment was one of relief for Holly and her sisters Isa, 49, and Taryn, 45. Over the past year and a half, Bolton’s daughters have leaned into moments of joy and levity as their dad, 72, tackles his greatest challenge yet: glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.

“You’re reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought,” Bolton — whose short-term memory, speech and mobility have been impacted by his treatments — tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “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.”

If the grace and humor with which he’s tackled his diagnosis are any indication, Bolton is certainly made of tough stuff. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2023 after undergoing emergency surgery, during which doctors were able to remove a brain tumor in his entirety (Bolton’s neuro-oncologist, Dr. Ingo Mellinghoff of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, says this happens with just 30 to 40 percent of glio cases).

He underwent a second brain surgery in January 2024 due to an infection, and since finishing radiation and chemotherapy treatment in October, undergoes MRIs every two months to ensure his tumor has not returned. His most recent scan in early April was clear, and the path forward is all about monitoring, as the recurrence rate for glioblastoma is about 90 percent, according to the Glioblastoma Foundation.

“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,” says the star, who has purposely not been given a prognosis and is choosing to remain hopeful. “It actually helps people to know. It reminds them that they’re not alone.”

Michael Bolton Reveals He Was Diagnosed with a Brain Tumor, Underwent ‘Immediate Surgery’ Before Holidays

Bolton first shared news of his illness with his devoted fans in January 2024, announcing on Instagram that he’d undergone brain surgery and was taking a break from touring.

In the time since, he’s settled into life at home in Westport, Conn., where he’s lived for more than 30 years. Much of his time is spent with his daughters and his six grandchildren Amelia, 14, Olivia, 13, Dylan, 11, Grayson, 10, River, 9, and Jack, 8, with whom he regularly enjoys family trivia nights.

“We’re in this together, and that’s it,” says Taryn.

Bolton meditates daily and golfs as much as he can, and he still works with a personal trainer and takes voice lessons, plus does voice therapy with a coach online.

“I find comfort in general more easily. [The whole experience] gives me a heightened sense of appreciation. It’s unthinkable for it to be okay not to make the most of your life,” he says. “I think we develop capabilities and problem management, and we learn how to make the best out of a bad situation. You have to be a cheerleader for yourself.”

With all he’s been through, Bolton acknowledges his definition of legacy has evolved. Before, he would have considered his enduring career his legacy. Now he’s more concerned that his daughters are equipped for what’s next. 

“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,” he says. “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?’ ”

It’s a question he hopes he still has plenty of time to answer. 

“I want to keep going. I feel there’s still a lot to do on the fight side,” he says. “I got a title for a song: ‘Ain’t Going Down Without a Fight.’ ”