Elton John may have bid farewell to the stage, but not to gold — the precious metal that continues to shine in both his personal life and career.
This week, the World Gold Council released Touched by Gold, a free short film featuring the legendary musician. The documentary explores gold’s unexpected role in John’s life, from medical uses to music technology.
John, who has lived with a pacemaker since 1999, revealed his surprise when he first learned gold was used in the device. “Gold is highly conductive, which makes it perfect for carrying electrical signals to the heart. I was astonished. It made me feel good about it. So gold is used for things other than glamour and beautiful objects,” he said.
Gold has even become part of his personal story in unusual ways. After undergoing double knee replacement surgery, John had one kneecap turned into a gold pendant and the other into a floral gold brooch.
The film also highlights gold’s impact on public health, including its role in rapid HIV tests that helped transform AIDS detection. John connected this to his decades of philanthropic work through the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Gold also plays a quieter but crucial role in his music. The singer explained that some of his favorite studio microphones contain gold-coated diaphragms, which capture the full range of his voice.
Beyond Elton John’s story, the release of Touched by Gold comes as spot gold surged to a record $3,707.40 per ounce on Wednesday, extending an 18-month rally fueled by inflation, geopolitical tensions, and a weaker U.S. dollar.
Investors continue to track interest-rate moves closely. Following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s recent 0.25% rate cut, analysts noted initial gains for gold before markets steadied on cautious signals from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Despite the uncertainty, many, including Sprott’s Ryan McIntyre, remain bullish: “We remain constructive on gold given heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty, alongside its growing role as a strategic reserve asset for both institutional investors and sovereign nations.”