Michael Bolton Details Battle With Rare, Aggressive Form of Brain Cancer
Michael Bolton’s determination to go the distance is keeping him in good spirits.
Nearly two years after the “Soul Provider” singer revealed his brain cancer diagnosis, his daughters Taryn Bolton and Isa Bolton—whom he shares with ex-wife Maureen McGuire—offered a promising update on his health.
“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, 49, told AARP in an interview published Dec. 17. “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.”
Indeed, the 72-year-old has been focused on healing since he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma—an aggressive tumor that largely affects the frontal and temporal lobe—in December 2023 after suffering a bad headache. That month, Michael underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor.
He’s since undergone radiation treatment, chemotherapy, and bi-monthly MRI screenings to monitor his brain’s health over the last year. But he hasn’t been handling this battle alone, as his daughters—including their sibling Holly Bolton—have split their time as his caretakers.
“We each help to honor him in various ways,” Isa explained to the outlet. “One of us, for instance, is very fastidious in making sure that all of the daily care…The Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed. One of us is worrying more about companionship, his spirits and what type of mood he’s in.”
Then together, the trio have learned to “collectively manage various business and professional aspects that need to be taken care of day to day,” leading them to operate like “a very small island.”
Facebook/Michael Bolton
And as they continue to unconditionally support their dad, Isa noted that taking on this new role has helped “redefine” her connection with him.
“The relationship dynamic does shift so profoundly,” she admitted. “You have an opportunity to work through some things that were challenging and to recognize that you don’t have to be put into a position that maybe you had pigeonhole yourself into in the relationship.”
It seems the Time, Love & Tenderness star has also embraced this part of his journey, as he’s been thinking of how his legacy will impact his daughters and grandchildren.
“How do I give things that they can take forward?” Michael shared of his family to People in April. “Life lessons, love, any kind of validation that I can give—I want to be on the right side of that so they feel great about who they are.”
Keep reading to see more celebrities detailing their cancer battles…
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Gordon Ramsay
Alongside a pair of photos that show a line of stitches running from the bottom of his ear to his jaw, which he later covered with a bandage, the British celebrity chef shared that he underwent a procedure to treat skin cancer.
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