Bruce Springsteen’s Wife Patti Scialfa Reveals Blood Cancer Diagnosis Affecting Her Immune System

In the new documentary "Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band," Patti Scialfa, the 71-year-old musician, and wife of Bruce Springsteen, publicly disclosed both her diagnosis of multiple myeloma in 2018 and how it has impacted her participation in the band's latest tours, Entertainment Weekly reported. The film was unveiled at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and also contains interviews with several E Street Band members.

Scialfa, who joined the band in 1984 as a singer and guitarist, revealed, "Touring has become a challenge for me... 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. That’s the new normal for me right now, and I’m okay with that." Her comments underscore her balancing act between managing her illness, a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells and her immune system, and continuing her contributions to the band. Furthermore, Scialfa noted stepping back from the current tour beginning in February 2023 to work on a solo album and spend time with her first grandchild, Lily Harper Springsteen.

Director Thom Zimny, who has collaborated with Springsteen for over two decades, emphasized in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter how the singer now reflects openly on his mortality. This was evident as Springsteen performed a three-hour set followed by a moving post-screening panel discussion where he highlighted, "I can look to my left, Stevie’s there... When Patti’s able to make it, I can see her there. … I’m not alone."

Throughout the screening, Chris Richards of the Washington Post complimented the enduring vitality of Springsteen’s performances. Springsteen added, "We have the only job in the world where the people you went to high school with — at 75, you’re still with those people." This reveals the deep-seated camaraderie amongst band members, including moments when they shared and witnessed major life events together, from marriages and hardships to resilience and aging.

The connection between Scialfa and Springsteen is portrayed romantically in the 99-minute documentary, particularly in their duet of the 1986 track "Fire," revealing a personal glimpse into their relationship. Scialfa shared during the film, "You can see a side of our relationship that you usually don’t get to see. Being back onstage with Bruce is a blast."

Notably, both Scialfa and Springsteen have navigated medical challenges. Scialfa’s guard against immune-related vulnerabilities diverges from Springsteen postponing numerous concert dates after being diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease and previously facing vocal issues.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Candiace Dillard Bassett and Chris expect a baby boy.