Jimmy Barnes reflects on his recent life threatening health battle

Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes has opened up about his terrifying brush with death, revealing the intimate and emotional moments he shared with his wife Jane during his recent health crisis.

In a heartfelt interview with 7News, the beloved Cold Chisel frontman detailed his harrowing experience with bacterial pneumonia, which landed him in hospital in late November 2023.

What initially seemed like a serious infection escalated quickly, eventually requiring Barnes to undergo open-heart surgery — a revelation that left fans reeling.

Barnes revealed that he and his wife Jane really believed his time was coming to an end and it made him reflect on life.

“I literally turned to Jane and said: ‘I think this might be it. I think it might have caught me finally’,” he said.

“It makes you think about life.

“And I’m letting everybody I know that I love know that I’ve had the best life, you know. “

Barnes’ health battles didn’t end with heart surgery. Earlier this year, he revealed he would be returning to hospital yet again — this time for further hip surgery, something he assured fans was a positive step.

“Hey everyone, I’ve got some news to share with you. My incredible doctors have cleared me to go back in next week to have my hip replaced with a permanent joint,” he said at the time.

“I’m obviously not looking forward to more surgery but this is actually good news. I’d like to apologise in advance to my darling Jane who’s going to be back in nursing mode for the next few weeks (I’m not a great patient if you didn’t know).

“The temporary hip that I had in there for the past few months did its job, and it got me through the amazing Cold Chisel “The Big Five-0” Tour.

“I’d like to thank the very talented physios who strapped me up like I was in a grand final every night. That got me through the shows.

“I’ve got another big year coming up, and this new hip will have me stomping around the stage before you can say 1, 2, 3, 4.

“See you on the road.”

Thankfully, Barnes made a strong recovery and was soon back home, expressing gratitude to fans and the medical professionals who helped him through.