Sheila Eileen Dwight was the mother of Elton John, one of the most famous and influential musicians of all time.
She was born in London, England, and lived a turbulent life that involved two marriages, a divorce, and a strained relationship with her son.
She witnessed the rise of Elton John’s career but also suffered from his fame and fortune. She died in 2017 at the age of 92.
Profile
- Full name: Sheila Eileen Dwight
- Date of birth: March 12, 1925
- Date of death: December 4, 2017
- Age: 92 years old (at time of death)
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Camberwell, London Borough of Southwark, Greater London, England
- Nationality: British
- Profession: N/A
- Height: 1.66 cm
- Parents: Frederick George Harris and Ivy White
- Siblings: N/A
- Spouse: Stanley Dwight (1945-1962), Fred Farebrother (1963-2007)
- Children: Elton John (born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight)
- Relationship status: Widowed
- Net worth: $350k
Early Life & Education
Sheila Eileen Dwight, 92 when she died, was born on March 12, 1925, in Camberwell, London Borough of Southwark, Greater London, England.
She was the daughter of Frederick George Harris and Ivy White, who were both working-class people. She grew up in a modest home with her parents and no known siblings.
She attended a local school and had a normal childhood. She became interested in music and dancing and often went to the cinema and the theatre. She also enjoyed reading and writing.
Personal Life
Sheila Eileen Dwight married Stanley Dwight in 1945 when she was 20. Stanley was a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force and served in World War II.
He was handsome, charming, ambitious, distant, cold, and unfaithful. They had a son, Reginald Kenneth Dwight, born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex.
Reginald, who later changed his name to Elton John, showed a talent for music at an early age. He learned to play the piano by ear and started performing in pubs and clubs as a teenager.
Sheila encouraged and supported her son’s musical aspirations, but Stanley disapproved and wanted him to pursue a conventional career, such as banking.
Stanley was not interested in his son and was often absent, so Sheila and her mother raised Elton. Sheila was strict with her son and expected him to be obedient and respectful.
Sheila Eileen Dwight and Stanley Dwight’s marriage was falling apart. They had arguments and eventually didn’t want to continue being married.
They divorced in 1962 when Sheila was 37, and Elton was 15. Sheila married Fred Farebrother in 1963, who was a local painter. He became a good stepfather to Sheila’s son Elton and treated him like his own.
He was kind, warm, and supportive and helped Elton with his career. Sheila and Fred had a happy and stable marriage and lived in a comfortable house in Northwood Hills, London. They also had a dog named Arthur, who was Elton’s companion.
Sheila Eileen Dwight’s relationship with her son Elton deteriorated over the years. They had disagreements and conflicts over various issues, such as Elton’s sexuality, his drug addiction, his marriage to Renate Blauel, his divorce, his adoption of two children with David Furnish, and his friendships with his former staff members.
Sheila felt that Elton had changed and become arrogant, selfish, and ungrateful. She also felt he had neglected her and Fred and didn’t visit or call them often.
She said: “I think he just hung on thinking that Elton would come to see him, and he never did.” They had a falling out in 2008 when Sheila hired an Elton John impersonator for her 90th birthday party, which Elton found disrespectful and insulting.
They didn’t speak to each other for seven years until Elton reached out to her in 2015 after he had a health scare. They reconciled and mended their relationship, and Elton apologized for his behaviour. They remained in touch until Sheila died in 2017.
Career
Sheila Eileen Dwight did not have a professional career. She was a housewife and a mother who devoted her life to her family.
She helped her son Elton with his career by buying his first piano, attending auditions, and managing his finances.
She also attended his concerts and events and celebrated his achievements. She was proud of her son but also worried about his well-being. She said: “I’m glad he’s successful, but I wish he were happy.”
Net Worth
Sheila Eileen Dwight’s net worth is estimated to be around 350k at the time of her life.
However, she did not have a source of income and relied on her husband’s earnings.
Death
Sheila Eileen Dwight died on December 4, 2017, at 92. She passed away peacefully at her home in Northwood Hills, London, surrounded by her family and friends.
She had been suffering from a long illness and had been in and out of the hospital.
She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered in a private ceremony. Her son Elton paid tribute to her on social media and dedicated a song to her at his concert.
He said: “I only saw her last Monday, and I am shocked. Travel safe, Mum. Thank you for everything. I will miss you so much.”
Controversy
Sheila Eileen Dwight was involved in some controversies about her son, Elton. She was criticized for being too controlling and demanding of her son and interfering in his personal and professional life.
She was also accused of being jealous and resentful of his fame and fortune and exploiting him for her benefit.
Elton sued her in 2000 for breaching a confidentiality agreement and selling his personal belongings to a memorabilia dealer.
She denied the allegations and said she only tried to help her son. She said, “I love him very much and always will. But he has hurt me so much over the years.”
Social Media
- Instagram handle: N/A
- Twitter handle: N/A
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