Bruce Springsteen’s wife Patti Scialfa has revealed that she has been secretly battling cancer.
The 71-year-old guitarist, who plays in her husband’s E Street Band, was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer called multiple myeloma in 2018 and retired from touring as she privately dealt with the health crisis.
And now the songwriter has revealed her battle with cancer in the new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada on Sunday night.
Speaking about her decision to scale back her stage commitments, Patti explained: “I’ve been playing with this band for 40 years. With those first few shows, it felt really good to be back on stage.
“Touring has become a challenge for me. In 2018, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early-stage multiple myeloma.”
Bruce Springsteen’s wife Patti Scialfa has revealed her secret battle with cancer as she spoke about her diagnosis for the first time.
The 71-year-old guitarist, who plays in her husband’s E Street Band, was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer called multiple myeloma in 2018 and retired from touring as she dealt with the health crisis privately (pictured performing together in February 2023).
She went on to reveal that she tries to make it to a show every now and then, but is no longer a regular on stage.
Patti added: ‘This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful about what I choose to do and where I choose to go.
“Every now and then, I’ll go to a show or two and get to sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a pleasure. That’s the new normal for me right now and I’m fine with that.”
The documentary marks the first time Patti has spoken publicly about her cancer diagnosis.
She and Bruce have been married since 1991. They have three children together: Evan, 34, Jessica, 32, and Samuel, 30.
Last October, Bruce inducted his wife into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in the 15th Annual Induction Ceremony.
Bruce was all smiles as he proudly stood at the podium to share some kind words about his wife and why she is so deserving of the honor.
After presenting his wife and bandmate with the Hall of Fame award, the longtime couple shared a kiss on the podium.
The couple have been married since 1991 and have three children: Evan, 34, Jessica, 32, and Samuel, 30 (pictured in 2019).
Speaking about her decision to scale back her theatre commitments in a new documentary, she explained: “Touring has become a challenge for me. In 2018, well, Bruce and I were doing a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early-stage multiple myeloma.”
Last October, Bruce inducted his wife into the New Jersey Hall of Fame at the 15th annual induction ceremony as they shared a sweet kiss on the podium.
Patti is originally from Deal, New Jersey, a town located along the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County.
The singer-songwriter and guitarist graduated from Asbury Park High School, the same town where Springsteen honed his musical skills before rising to fame in the 1970s and 1980s.
He joined the E Street Band in 1984, just days before the opening show of the Born In The USA Tour.
The musician has also recorded three solo studio albums during his prestigious career: Rumble Doll (1993), 23rd Street Lullaby (2004) and Play It As It Lays (2007).
His first two albums received four stars from Rolling Stone magazine, while the third received three and a half stars. Springsteen and other members of the E Street band, such as Nils Lofgren and Roy Bittan, have collaborated on his albums.
Meanwhile, her husband Bruce has also faced a series of health crises over the past few years on tour.
He was attacked by a peptic ulcer which forced him to take a six-month break from work because it affected his singing.
Earlier this year, in an interview with Sirius XM’s E Street Radio, she explained: “You sing with your diaphragm. My diaphragm was hurting so much that when I tried to sing, it was killing me, so I literally couldn’t sing at all, you know?”
“And that lasted two or three months, along with a host of other painful problems.”
A close source told Dailymail.com: ‘Bruce has had a tough couple of years. He’s had COVID several times and even had to cancel his shows in August due to contracting the latest strain.
The documentary marks the first time Patti has spoken publicly about her cancer diagnosis.
Patti joined the E Street Band in 1984, just days before the opening show of the Born In The USA Tour (pictured with her mother, a friend and her son Sam and his partner).
“This happened just a couple of weeks ago and it really affects someone of his age.”
The source added that the Boss “hasn’t been the same” since undergoing throat surgery in 2013, when doctors opened his vocal cords to repair damaged discs in his neck.
“It’s really had an impact on her overall well-being,” the source continued. “Everyone wants her to focus on her health and not push herself too hard.”
According to the source, Springsteen was heartbroken at having to postpone his shows, but his team felt it was the best decision to help him avoid having to undergo more serious treatment in the future.
“Bruce hates not being able to do what he loves,” they continued. “Even though an ulcer doesn’t seem like a big deal, it can be and require surgery.”
