He’s the iconic UK singer-songwriter who wed partner David Furnish in 2014.
And on the eve of his Australian tour, Elton John has joined a host of celebrities to throw support behind same-sex marriage.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the Candle In The Wind singer made reference to his short-lived marriage to Renate Blauel, who he wed in Sydney in 1984 admitting he ‘denied who he was’ in marrying the German-born sound engineer.
Love is love: On the eve of his Australian tour, Elton John has joined a chorus of celebrities to throw support behind marriage equality in a touching Instagram post.
Sharing a photo of him holding hands with David, Elton issued a gushing screed in which he urged Australia to support same sex marriage ahead of the postal vote plebiscite.
‘Many years ago, I chose Australia for my wedding to a wonderful woman for whom I have so much love and admiration,’ Elton began.
‘I wanted more than anything to be a good husband, but I denied who I really was, which caused my wife sadness and caused me huge guilt and regret.
Post yes: Sharing a photo of him holding hands with David, Elton issued a gushing screed in which he urged Australia to support same sex marriage ahead of the postal vote plebiscite
Revalation: The Candle In The Wind singer made reference to his short-lived marriage to Renate Blauel, who he wed in Sydney in 1984 admitting he ‘denied who he was’ in marrying the German-born sound engineer
‘To be worthy of someone’s love, you have to be brave enough and clear eyed enough to be honest with yourself and your partner.’
Continuing, Elton revealed that it wasn’t until he married David that he truly felt himself.
‘Almost 24 years ago, I met the person with whom I could fully be myself. When we married in 2014, it felt like that fact was accepted by the world.
‘For David and I, being able to openly love and commit to one another, and for that to be recognised and celebrated is what makes life truly worth living.’
Heartfelt: ‘I wanted more than anything to be a good husband, but I denied who I really was, which caused my wife sadness and caused me huge guilt and regret,’ he said in the post
Elton went on to praise Australia’s ‘spirit’ and pleaded with the country to support marriage equality.
‘I love Australia. I love it’s spirit, its lack of pretence, its passion. I hope it can embrace the honesty and courage that seeks gay marriage as an expression not of desire but of love,’ he wrote, punctuating the touching sentiment with the hashtags #loveislove and #marriageequality.
Elton married Renate in Sydney’s Darling Point on Valentine’s Day 1984 with the pair parting ways three years later in 1987.
Equality: ‘I love Australia. I love it’s spirit, its lack of pretence, its passion. I hope it can embrace the honesty and courage that seeks gay marriage as an expression not of desire but of love,’ he wrote, punctuating the touching sentiment with the hashtags #loveislove and #marriageequality
Elton began a relationship with David in 1993 and on 21 December 2005 were one of the first couples in the UK to form a civil partnership.
After gay marriage was legalised in the UK, Elton and David were married on 21 December 2014 – nine years after their civil partnership.
The pair share two sons Elijah, four, and Zachary, six.
Happy couple: After gay marriage was legalised in the UK, Elton and David were married on 21 December 2014 – nine years after their civil partnership. The pair have two sons Elijah, four, and Zachary, six