A HISTORIC PERSONAL MILESTONE FOR ELTON JOHN: 36 years of sobriety celebrated in style—Music icon raises a zero-alcohol toast to a transformed life!

Elton John ‘Grateful for Every Single’ Day as He Marks 36 Years of Sobriety

The music icon toasted to the occasion with his premium non-alcoholic sparkling wine

Elton John attends the Elton John Zero launch event at The River Cafe on June 24, 2026 in London, England.
Sir Elton John at the Elton John Zero launch event at The River Cafe on June 24, 2026 in London.Credit : Dave Benett/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • Elton John celebrated 36 years of sobriety with a social media post featuring his alcohol-free sparkling wine
  • He launched Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs, a 0.0% alcohol wine, with husband David Furnish in January 2026
  • John has been open about his struggles with addiction, which were dramatized in the biopic Rocketman

Elton John is celebrating an important milestone.

On Wednesday, July 29, the 79-year-old legendary British singer announced via social media that it’s been more than three decades since he consumed alcohol.

“36 years sober today. Raising a 0% glass to life. Grateful for every single day,” he captioned an Instagram post.

His single-photo upload featured him smiling at the camera as he sat at an outdoor restaurant on a sunny day holding a glass of his Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs as the bottle rested on ice in a wine bucket.

He added the same post to his Instagram Stories, setting the image to his 1983 hit, “I’m Still Standing.”

Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs is a premium 0.0% alcohol sparkling wine featuring a royal blue bottle with his signature “E” star logo that the pianist launched with his husband David Furnish in January 2026.

“Elton John Zero was born from a simple yet exquisite idea — to create a world where every moment of celebration can be shared by all,” he said in a statement to his official website.

“Our 0% alcohol Blanc de Blancs captures the elegance, effervescence, and joy of a traditional Blanc de Blancs, without compromise,” the father of two continued. “Crafted with care and intention, it embodies the art of inclusion — inviting everyone to raise a glass, savour the sparkle, and share in the timeless celebration of togetherness.”

John has been open about his decision to give up alcohol and other substances, such as in the Taron Egerton-led biopic Rocketman, which dramatized the behind-the-scenes turmoil that led him to walk away from substances like alcohol, marijuana, and his self-described “worst best friend” cocaine.

He also shared his past experiences with drugs and alcohol in a May 2019 interview with Variety.

Elton John on May 21, 2026 in London, England
Elton John on May 21, 2026 in London, England.Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty

“The life I was leading, flying on the Starship [his legendary private plane], living in beautiful houses, buying things left, right and center — it was not a normal life, not the sort of life I came from anyway,” he told the outlet. “I lost complete touch with that. I vowed when I did change my life that that would never happen again.”

“There were times I was having chest pains or staying up for three days at a time,” he continued. “I used to have spasms and be found on the floor and they’d put me back to bed and half an hour later I’d be doing the same. It’s crazy.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When he hit 35 years of sobriety in July 2025, the Grammy winner also took to social media to celebrate.

“Grateful for all the love on my sobriety birthday 🙏🏻❤️,” he captioned the post.