Bruce Springsteen on Mortality and Wife Patti Scialfa’s Cancer Diagnosis

Bruce Springsteen has been reflecting on the profound impact of his wife Patti Scialfa‘s cancer diagnosis on his life and outlook. During a panel discussion at the Los Angeles premiere of the documentary ‘Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band‘ on October 21, Springsteen, 75, opened up about how Scialfa’s health challenges have led him to contemplate mortality more deeply.

Patti Scialfa, 71, a longtime member of Springsteen’s E Street Band and his wife since 1991, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare type of blood cancer, in 2018. This diagnosis has significantly altered her life and her ability to perform. In the documentary, Scialfa shares her struggles with the disease, which affects her immune system, and how it has made touring and performing more challenging. Despite these difficulties, she expressed her joy in still being able to perform occasionally, stating that “every once in a while, I come to a show or two and I can sing a few songs onstage, and that’s been a treat”.

Springsteen emphasized the importance of cherishing life in the face of such health challenges. He noted that as people age, questions of mortality become more prevalent. “Hey, you get up around our age, and those are the things you’re thinking about,” he said. “Patti and I have had to deal with her illness, and you’re worried about… it is a part of your life now, questions of mortality, and it just becomes a part of your life”.

The documentary ‘Road Diary,’ which chronicles Springsteen and the E Street Band’s reunion and their first tour since 2017, is set to be available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Springsteen also shared an update on Scialfa’s health during an ABC News Special, noting that she is “doing good” and that catching the disease early was crucial.