Willie Nelson makes surprising admission about his health

Willie Nelson, 91, made a surprising statement about his health after concerning fans with show cancelations over the summer. 

The country music icon said that death is one of themes in his new album – prompting him to reflect on his life and health. 

He told the Associated Press: ‘Well, I’m 91 plus, so, you know, I’m not worried about it. I don’t feel bad. I don’t hurt anywhere. 

‘I don’t have any reason to worry about dying. But I don’t know anybody who’s lived forever. I take pretty good care of myself.’ 

Nelson, who gave up smoking marijuana after decades, added while laughing: ‘I feel like I’m in pretty good shape physically. Mentally? That’s another story.’

Nelson sang and played the guitar in 1969 (pictured). He has been a beloved performer for decades 

This admission comes after Nelson missed the opening dates of his summer Outlaw Music Festival Tour due to his health. 

‘We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctor’s orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days,’ the Grammy Award winner’s team wrote in a statement.

‘He is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week. In the meantime, Lukas Nelson and the Family Band, along with a few guests, will perform a special set to include Willie’s classics and other songs.’

After doctors cleared him to perform, he still opted-out of a show in Mansfield, Massachusetts. 

Nelson has previously had to cancel other shows due to illness in recent years.

Nelson has canceled performances multiple times over the years, pointing to health issues as the explanation

In 2018, Nelson had to walk off the stage during a North Carolina show because he felt ‘under the weather and had a stomach bug.’

The following year, he canceled a tour with Alison Krauss, 53, as he announced ‘a breathing problem’ he had to have treated.

One of his efforts to improve his health was to quit smoking weed, but it was later clarified that he still consumes other kinds of cannabis products. 

In 2020, Nelson shared his secrets to living a long life, while admitting he ‘didn’t ever think I’d get this old.’

He has credited cannabis as ‘a good medicine and I’m glad that it’s being accepted around the country, and I’ll be glad when every state in the union legalizes it, because I think it will be healthy for everybody.’

In addition to releasing his 75th solo studio album The Border in May, Nelson was also recently featured on the ‘Smoke Hour’ interludes of Beyoncé’s highly-anticipated Cowboy Carter album.

In seemingly good health, Nelson performed at a Houston, Texas rally for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris last week.  

His newest album, ‘Last Leaf on the Tree,’ was released on Friday. It is a collaboration with his youngest son, Micah. 

Although Willie and Micah were already extremely close, the pair took their relationship to the next level after spending hours in the studio at work.

Nelson, pictured in 1978, said he is not worried about dying while discussing his newest album 

Micah produced the project and had a huge part in the song selection process.

The 34-year-old told the Saving Country Music that he took a ‘sculptor’s approach’ to their project, before noting that he and his father have worked extremely hard on the album.

He said: ‘It’s an approach that I really love and have used a lot over the years—just throwing the clay down and stepping back, then maybe adding a little more, and then maybe shaving down here, and kind of building the tracks that way.’

This album is Nelson’s 76th solo album and 153rd album in general, the Associated Press reported.