Over the years, Sir Elton has donated more than £300million to charitable causes from his own pocket. He is known as much for his chart-toppers including Your Song and Candle in the Wind as he is for being a pivotal voice in the fight against HIV/AIDS via his Elton John AIDS Foundation.
He was recognised by the Queen for his services to charity not once, but twice, in 1998 when he received a Knighthood and in 2020 when he was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.
"He's given the Royal Academy Music a lot - money, concerts, a new organ and so on - but it's the detailed care, love and identification with young musicians that's so deeply rooted in kindness." - Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music
The eponymous Elton John Sports Fund, which was founded in 2014, has also helped over one hundred young athletes who were struggling to pay their way thanks to grants and bursaries, building the next generation of British sporting talent.
Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, has known Elton for 20 years and told HELLO!: "His friendship is like none other. He's given the Royal Academy Music a lot - money, concerts, a new organ and so on - but it's the detailed care, love and identification with young musicians that's so deeply rooted in kindness.
"Just before the pandemic, he came to the Academy for a morning, chatting to big and small groups, showing real interest in his young scholars and inspiring them in his advice and mentoring. I remember him ringing me from Las Vegas with pride to tell me he'd managed to find a way of including some cello students in his act, to tell me how they'd developed and to assure me they were being looked after. He's unique and royalty round here."
"I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the compassion, dignity, and love I received when I was at my lowest point." - Elton John
Having been on the receiving end of love and compassion himself, before entering rehab and turning his life around, Elton is determined to spend his life showing kindness to all around him.
"I was a drug addict. I needed people who loved me to tell me that it was time for me to take care of myself, and I needed every bit of the care and support that I received from my fellow patients and staff at the rehab facility.
"I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the compassion, dignity, and love I received when I was at my lowest point. There isn't a person on the planet who doesn't deserve the same."
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