In a touching revelation, Patti Scialfa, the wife of iconic rock legend Bruce Springsteen, shared her private battle with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer she has been fighting since 2018. The 71-year-old guitarist and longtime member of Springsteen’s E Street Band opened up about her health in the new documentary, *”Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,”* which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday night.
For Scialfa, stepping back from the stage was a tough but necessary decision. “Touring has become a challenge for me,” she admitted in the documentary. “This affects my immune system, so I just have to be careful what I choose to do and where I choose to go.” While her health concerns have limited her presence on stage, Scialfa hasn’t disappeared entirely. “Every once in a while, I come to a show or two, and I can sing a few songs on stage, and that’s been a treat,” she shared, explaining that this has become her “new normal” – one she’s learned to embrace with grace.
Scialfa has been an integral part of the E Street Band since 1984, and her marriage to Springsteen in 1991 solidified her place as a beloved figure both in the world of music and in American culture. As a trailblazing woman in rock, her decision to prioritize her health over relentless touring sends a powerful message about the importance of self-care, even in the face of demanding careers.
Her diagnosis came during Springsteen’s famed *”Springsteen on Broadway”* residency, a time when her absence was keenly felt by fans. Since then, she has spent much of the current E Street Band tour, which began in February 2023 and will run through July 2025, focusing on her health. Yet Scialfa’s courage in publicly addressing her condition shines a light on the strength required to face such challenges head-on, particularly while balancing the pressures of being a public figure.
Multiple myeloma is a rare and serious cancer that forms in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. The disease weakens the immune system, causes bone pain, fatigue, and mental fogginess. Despite these hardships, Scialfa’s resilience has been remarkable. Instead of retreating entirely, she has worked on her solo album and spent time with her and Springsteen’s first grandchild, Lily, born in July 2022. This period has allowed her to focus on what truly matters—her family and personal passions.
Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen, now 74, has faced his own health struggles, including peptic ulcer disease and vocal issues that have forced him to reschedule portions of the band’s current world tour. Yet the Springsteens, known for their work ethic and devotion to their fans, remain undeterred. *”Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band,”* streaming on Hulu and Disney+ starting October 25, will give fans an intimate glimpse into their lives behind the scenes, with the Springsteen family facing challenges head-on.
In a world where the entertainment industry often prioritizes career over personal well-being, Patti Scialfa’s decision to step back from relentless touring to care for herself sends a powerful and admirable message: health and family come first. For that, she remains an enduring figure of strength and resilience.
