Elton John’s husband David Furnish has remembered his “beautiful, angelic” mother in a moving and lengthy tribute after she died with her sons by her side.
The singer’s mother-in-law passed away just two years after his own mum’s death, with his husband David sharing a photo of her beaming with happiness on her wedding day to confirm the sad news.
“Today I lost my beautiful, angelic Mother. She passed away peacefully in the middle of the night, with me and my brothers by her side,” David wrote. “Mum radiated gentle kindness. She was utterly devoted to her family. We all richly benefitted from her patient wisdom and bountiful love.”
He went on to explain how he’d treasured his mother’s wedding photo for years, as it shows her one one of the happiest days of her life, “bursting with joy and fresh-faced optimism over their union and the life they planned to build together”.
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David’s moving tribute concluded with the words: “They shared the greatest love I have ever known; A rock-solid foundation from which my brothers and I flourished. Rest in peace Mum. You lived your life impeccably. I will never forget you. I promise to do my best to pass the gifts you gave to me on to my own beautiful sons.”
Close friends of Elton and David shared their condolences, with Elizabeth Hurley writing: “All our thoughts are with you, my precious friend.” Susannah Constantine added: “Gladys – 24-carat goodness. She will live on in you, your boys and your brothers. Love, strength and prayers.”
It comes almost two years after Elton’s own mum Sheila Farebrother sadly passed away, leaving the singer in shock. “So sad to say that my mother passed away this morning,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “I only saw her last Monday and I am in shock. Travel safe Mum. Thank-you for everything. I will miss you so much.”
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Her death came just months after the pair ended a bitter nine-year feud that made headlines around the world. Farebrother once told media that they had fallen out after her son asked her to cut ties with two of her oldest friends.
Their standoff was made worse when Farebrother hired an Elton John tribute act for her 90th birthday, a move that reportedly infuriated the singer. After years of anger, the pair are believed to have reconciled after Elton was admitted into hospital with a “potentially deadly” infection.
Elton shared a sweet tribute to his mum on the Mother’s Day before her death, saying “Dear Mum, Happy Mother’s Day! So happy we are back in touch”.
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It appeared their reconciliation couldn’t have come at a better time, allowing them to enjoy the last few months of Farebrother’s life together.
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