Bruce Springsteen Says 'Questions of Mortality' Have Become 'Part of' Life amid Wife Patti Scialfa’s Cancer Diagnosis

The subject of mortality is on Bruce Springsteen’s mind following his wife Patti Scialfa’s diagnosis of blood cancer.

In the new documentary Travel Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street BandScialfa, 71, publicly revealed that she was diagnosed with the rare cancer multiple myeloma in 2018. The longtime member of Springsteen’s E Street Band also opened up about dealing with the difficulties of performing as a result of her illness.

PEOPLE was in attendance at the Doctor’s Los Angeles premiere at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Monday, Oct. 21, where Springsteen, 75, talked about how his wife’s diagnosis led him to talk about the importance of nurturing life while performing.

“Hey, you’re getting up around our age, and these are the things you think about,” he told the audience. “Patti and I had to deal with her illness, and you’re worried … it’s part of your life now, the issue of mortality, and it just becomes part of your life.”

Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa in 1992.

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All about Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen’s wife and bandmate

The “Born in the USA” singer credited his late friend and former The Castiles band member George Theiss, who died at age 68 in 2018, for his outlook on life. “Like I said in the movie, there’s a lot more yesterdays and goodbyes when you find yourself where we are than there were 30 or 40 years ago,” he added.

Elsewhere on the panel, Springsteen talked about why he made the documentary today: “Well, if we didn’t make it now, I’d be dead real quick. We’ve got to make them while we still can.”

Travel diary premiered Sunday, September 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the documentary follows Springsteen and his band as they reunite and embark on their first tour since 2017. The tour is still ongoing.

Due to her diagnosis, Scialfa could not perform at every show, but in the film she talks about how much she enjoys being on stage.

Patti Scialfa (left) and Bruce Springsteen in January 2024.

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Bruce Springsteen recalls how wife Patti Scialfa helped him stop being a ‘lazy musician’ (Exclusive)

“I have been performing with this band for 40 years. With those first shows, it was so good to be back on stage. Touring became a challenge for me,” Scialfa says in the documentary. “Well, in 2018, Bruce and I did a play on Broadway. I was diagnosed with early stage multiple myeloma.”

Although the disease, which affects her immune system, has forced her to be more cautious, she still loves to perform.

“This affects my immune system, so I just have to be careful what I do and where I go,” he adds. “Every once in a while I get to a show or two and get to sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat. It’s the new normal for me now and I’m okay with that.”

In an ABC News Special Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and backstagewhich aired on October 20, Springsteen shared an update on his wife’s health.

While The Boss noted that multiple myeloma is a “tough disease” and “very tiring,” he added, “She’s fine. We caught it early, which was important.”

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Source: HIS Education