Happy birthday to Adele, who turns 37 today – wishing her good health, happiness, and anything else she’s been dreaming of.
It is also now 18 years since Adele began recording her debut studio album, 19, which launched her to global fame. Therefore, the London-born megastar has found herself and anything to do with her in the headlines for nearly half her life.
As Adele celebrates all of these milestones, ED! take a look back at how her health and wellbeing have featured in her public life.
Throat surgery
Adele has been forced to cancel performances due to health issues, including in early 2024, during her Las Vegas residency.
But the first time her shows were impacted by such a matter was in 2011. Adele, then 23, underwent vocal cord microsurgery to remove a benign polyp at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, US.
A statement at the time confirmed: “Based on the advice of her doctor and voice therapist in the United Kingdom, Adele came to Boston to consult and undergo corrective voice surgery.”
Singing is literally my life, it’s my hobby, my love, my freedom and now my job.
Meanwhile, she told fans on Instagram:”‘If I continue to pick up everything before I have properly conquered these problems and nipped them in the bud, I will be totally and utterly [blank]ed. Singing is literally my life, it’s my hobby, my love, my freedom and now my job.”
Damaged vocal cords
Damage to her vocal cords meant the final two shows of Adele’s 2017 European tour were cancelled.
Due to perform at Wembley Stadium in London, the star had to withdraw after sharing a health update with fans on Facebook.
“On medical advice I simply am unable to perform over the weekend,” Adele revealed at the time. “To say I’m heartbroken would be a complete understatement.”
She later shared on social media how she had “even considered miming” to ensure the shows went ahead.
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Sciatica
Back in August 2023, Adele reportedly told how “they picked my whole body up off the floor” after she collapsed backstage due to sciatica.
She’s also addressed the chronic back pain she’s suffered with audiences during her Las Vegas show.
While firing T shirts into the crowds in attendance, she indicated getting across the stage wasn’t without challenges.
“I have to waddle these days because I have really bad sciatica,” she is reported to have said.
She’s also highlighted how a reported 100lb weight loss has helped relieve her discomfort.
Infection was ‘worse than childbirth’
Adele has also noted how a painful infection left her “a bit deaf” in one ear.
In October 2024, it was reported that Adele contracted a rare waterborne bacteria while in Munich two months earlier. She is said to have described the pain as “worse than childbirth.”
She said while on stage in Las Vegas: “I have an ear infection, which is pretty grim. I’ve never had one before. It’s the most painful thing that’s ever, ever happened to me.
“It was worse than childbirth. It’s a rare water bacteria. It’s very hard to treat.”
She also joked she felt like she wanted to “chop [her] ear off” after being given the wrong antibiotics.
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