Just when you thought you’d seen it all in rock n’ roll, along comes the news that Elton John has become a father. He and his partner, former advertising executive and film maker David Furnish, became the proud parents of Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, who was born to a surrogate mother in California on Christmas Day.
The identity of the mother has not been revealed, and it is unknown whose sperm was used. In a statement to USWeekly.com, the excited parents said “Zachary is healthy and doing well” and they say they are “overwhelmed with happiness and joy at this very special moment”. California has much easier surrogacy laws to navigate than those in the UK, and American surrogate mothers are often paid a handsome sum for their services.
Elton had previously tried to adopt a baby from a Ukrainian orphanage in 2009 but was thwarted by the country’s strict adoption laws. Elton’s close friend, actress Elizabeth Hurley – most recently in the press after becoming Australian cricketer Shane Warne’s latest conquest – said on Twitter “Massive congratulations to David and Elton on having their beautiful son. Can’t wait for my first cuddle.”
