Bruce Springsteen recently spoke about his wife, Patti Scialfa, and her battle with cancer. Patti, 71, is living with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. The public became aware of her diagnosis when the documentary Rock Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
During an interview with George Stephanopoulos for the ABC special Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and Backstreets, Bruce shared that Patti is doing well. He mentioned, “We caught it early, which was important,” but acknowledged that it’s a challenging disease, noting how it causes significant fatigue.
When asked why they chose to reveal the news now, Bruce explained that Patti hadn’t performed with the band for a while, leading people to wonder, “Where’s Patti?”
In the documentary, according to Variety, Patti opened up about why she’s not been able to join the E Street Band for their latest tour, explaining that her condition weakens her immune system, so she has to be cautious about her activities. She added, “I occasionally make it to a show or two and sing a few songs on stage, which is a real treat. That’s my new normal, and I’m okay with it.”
In September 2023, Bruce himself had to pause touring due to health issues. The band announced that he was receiving treatment for peptic ulcer disease, leading to the postponement of several September shows. The band’s statement expressed their heartbreak over the delays and apologized to their fans, especially in Philadelphia, promising to make up for the missed performances once Bruce recovers.