Phil Collins, the Grammy-winning singer known for his work with Genesis and a prolific solo career, has revealed that a severe health crisis in 2024, exacerbated by alcoholism, brought him to the brink of death. During this period, his organs began to fail, and his children were called to his hospital bedside in Switzerland to prepare for the possibility of saying goodbye.
Collins recounted the harrowing experience in an interview, explaining that his kidneys shut down and other organs followed suit. "People were coming to say goodbye," he told The Sunday Times. While he has limited memory of the event itself due to being unconscious, his children experienced the profound fear of losing him. His manager contacted his five children – Lily, Joely, Simon, Nicolas, and Matthew – as medical professionals considered whether to keep him on life support.
The near-death experience served as a critical turning point for Collins, prompting him to stop drinking. "I was very lucky to have come out of that," he stated, adding, "Needless to say, I haven’t had a drink since."
In the aftermath, Collins cherished reconnecting with his children. He recalled a moment with his daughter Lily, who was in tears, expressing her joy at being able to spend more time with him. "We had an incredible time," he said. "I can’t overemphasise how fantastic it was."
This wasn't the first time Collins has openly discussed his struggles with alcohol. In his 2016 autobiography, "Not Dead Yet," he wrote about developing alcoholism after retiring from music, filling a perceived void with drinking. "The huge hole, the void, I had to fill somehow," he wrote. "I filled it with booze. And it nearly killed me."
While the immediate crisis was resolved, Collins continues to manage ongoing health challenges. He mentioned having a live-in nurse to ensure he adheres to his medication regimen, and has faced issues with his knee and other ailments. Despite these ongoing concerns, surviving the 2024 ordeal marked a significant shift in his life, leading him to sobriety and a deeper appreciation for his family.