Legendary rock icon Bruce Springsteen has opened up to the world with a deeply personal tribute following the death of his beloved mother, Adele Springsteen, at the age of 98. Sharing the emotional news on Instagram, the 74-year-old musician posted a touching eulogy along with a video clip of Adele dancing—an activity that remained dear to her even in the face of a debilitating illness. The heartfelt message was accompanied by lyrics from his 1998 song The Wish, a track believed to be inspired by Adele herself. In the caption, Springsteen wrote, “Though I’m older, you’ll know me in a glance. We’ll find us a little rock ‘n roll bar and we’ll go out and dance.” The quote encapsulated not only his affection for his mother but also the joyful energy she exuded throughout her life. Fans and fellow musicians alike flooded social media with condolences, sending love and support to Springsteen and his family during this difficult time.

Bruce Springsteen has always spoken openly about the influence his mother had on his life and career. In a 2002 interview with Uncut magazine, he reflected on the values she instilled in him from a young age. “In certain ways, I was inherited from my mother,” he said. “Her incredible work ethic—just showing up every single day—really made an impression on me. Sometimes I’d visit her job, and I’d see her and others working hard toward something meaningful. Those small acts of purpose and consistency inspired me more than I can say.” That work ethic and quiet determination became a defining trait in Springsteen’s own journey as an artist and performer.

Adele Springsteen was born on May 4, 1925, and lived a long and full life, raising a family and remaining a source of inspiration to her son and his music fans around the world. In addition to The Wish, she is also believed to have inspired Springsteen’s song American Land, a track celebrating the immigrant experience in America—something Adele, a first-generation American of Italian descent, embodied. In recent years, Adele had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. During his 2021 Broadway residency, Springsteen revealed that his mother had lost the ability to speak and stand due to the progression of the illness. At the time, she was 95 years old. Despite the physical toll the disease had taken, Bruce noted with admiration and emotion, “She still feels the need to dance.” It was a powerful reminder that even in the grip of one of the most devastating diseases, her spirit remained intact.

Although the specific cause of Adele’s death has not been disclosed, the announcement of her passing was met with an outpouring of love and respect from across the music industry and beyond. Fans shared their own stories of how Springsteen’s lyrics, many of which were influenced by his mother, had touched their lives. Some recalled seeing Adele at his concerts over the years, proudly cheering her son from the audience. Her death marks the end of a chapter in Springsteen’s personal history, but her presence will continue to live on through the stories he’s told and the music he’s written.

In addition to the grief of losing his mother, Bruce Springsteen faced his own health challenges recently. In 2023, he was forced to cancel the remaining dates of his highly anticipated tour due to complications from a peptic ulcer. At the time, a statement released on his behalf explained, “Bruce Springsteen has been steadily recovering from peptic ulcer disease over the past few weeks and will continue treatment through the rest of the year under doctor’s guidance. All remaining 2023 tour dates for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will be rescheduled for 2024 out of an abundance of caution.” Fans expressed concern but also understanding, emphasizing their desire for him to prioritize his health.

Despite these recent challenges, Springsteen remains one of the most respected and resilient figures in American music. His ability to channel personal experiences—both joyful and painful—into timeless art is part of what makes him a legend. As he navigates this period of mourning, fans around the world are standing beside him in spirit, remembering Adele Springsteen not just as his mother, but as a woman who quietly shaped the soul of rock and roll. Rest in peace, Adele Springsteen. Your light continues to shine through the music and the memories.