Barry Manilow Shares an Update from the Hospital Following His Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Following his holiday performances, the well-known artist breaks his silence with a personal health update, inspiring a flood of love, support, and worry from his fans.
People all throughout the world have been moved by Barry Manilow’s health fight, which he disclosed after receiving a diagnosis following his holiday concert series.
The 82-year-old music icon reassured followers with a positive message a few days into the new year by sharing a picture that seemed to have been shot in a hospital.
Barry Manilow Discloses a Serious Medical Finding
The “Copacabana” singer revealed his lung cancer diagnosis on Instagram on December 21, 2025. He developed bronchitis for six weeks, and then relapsed five weeks later, which led to the diagnosis of the condition.
As a precaution, doctors requested an MRI because the bronchitis lasted so long. A little malignant patch on his left lung was discovered by the scan, and Manilow credited “pure luck” and a knowledgeable physician for catching it early.
He clarified that he would have the area removed surgically.
He also joked that his go-to comforts during his recuperation were chicken soup and “I Love Lucy” repeats, and he promised supporters that radiation and chemotherapy would not be a part of his treatment.
Shortly after concluding his seventh annual Christmas charity concert series at Palm Desert’s McCallum Theatre, he received the news.
The shows are still a highlight of his year and have earned millions for charitable organizations throughout the Coachella Valley in California.
Barry Manilow’s Reaction to the News
Manilow posted a happy picture of herself in a hospital gown from a bed on January 2, 2026, along with the message, “Better Today!” Comments were swamped with supportive and loving sentiments from netizens.
“You even make that hospital gown look Fine! 😉🥰 Be Well! ❤️” was written by one supporter. “Keep healing,” said another. You can succeed, Barry.
God is always good. A third said, “That’s great! Continue on. You must “Write the Songs” that bring the young girls to tears!🫂🫂❤️👍…
Rescheduled Tour as Barry Manilow Concentrates on Healing
Manilow has rescheduled his arena tour dates for January 2026 in order to recuperate from lung surgery. All original tickets will be recognized at the new concerts, which have been rescheduled between late February and April.
Tampa, Florida is the starting point for the revised tour, which then travels to Columbus, Ohio, on March 6, Charleston, South Carolina, on March 11, Orlando, on March 13, and Sunrise, on March 14.
Then, on March 16 and 17, Manilow will play two nights in Estero. On April 24, the tour moves on to Greensboro, North Carolina; on April 27, it moves on to Jacksonville; and on April 29, it ends in Duluth, Georgia.
Additionally, Manilow affirmed that his Valentine’s weekend performances at Westgate Las Vegas, which he refers to as his “home away from home,” scheduled for February 12, 13, and 14, will proceed according to schedule.
“And remember, if you have even the slightest symptom… get tested!” he said at the conclusion of his speech as a sincere reminder to take care of their health.
A Tour That Is Bittersweet But More Important Than Before
Manilow’s current tour, The Last Concerts, is a farewell to the cities that helped him through each decade of his incredible career, and his health update has given it a greater meaning.
He discussed the feelings behind his farewell shows and how being back on the road forced him to reflect more thoroughly on his role in music history in a June 2025 Billboard interview.
He included performers like Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, and Billy Joel to illustrate his developing awareness that many of his colleagues from the same era were no longer playing, either because of retirement or health concerns.
Manilow went on to say: “I’m still in good health. I still have my voice and my vitality, and I’m powerful. On nights when I am unable to strike the F natural on “Even Now,” I give up. But I’m still capable of it.”
Manilow stated that these performances represent a turning point in his decades-long career, even though there isn’t a set retirement date. He remarked that he has realized for the first time that he will not be returning to these cities, calling it a “bittersweet experience.”
He acknowledged that he “never felt that before,” stating that in the past, coming back was always expected. Now, however, after playing the same venues “over and over and over,” he is certain that “this is it.”
Heartbreak from COVID Couldn’t Hold Him Down
Health has previously put Manilow’s goals in jeopardy. He tested positive for COVID-19 in 2022, a few hours before the premiere of his stage musical “Harmony.”
In a tearful Instagram post, he described the incident as devastating: “The fact that I can’t go to the show’s New York premiere after waiting for 25 years may be the cruelest thing that has ever happened to me.
Manilow urged fans to go in his place even though he couldn’t. He advised people to wear masks and support live theater by attending the performance, highlighting the tenacity and fortitude of New Yorkers.
The Singer’s Trick to Remaining Talented
In June 2023, Manilow talked openly about becoming older and why he doesn’t want to slow down. He made it apparent that he does not view himself the way many people his age do, as he turned 80 that month.Manilow remarked, “I think of people who are 80… they look older than I do.” They’re retiring. It’s not me, you know.”
Rather, he defined himself as “just getting started,” adding that he feels more energized and focused when he is active. According to him, a person who continues to work will “stay young,” or at the very least remain mentally active, with a brain that is constantly “working.”
Manilow was still performing in Las Vegas, creating new music, touring, and producing an album for saxophonist Dave Koz at the time. He continued to be very active in his theater production of “Harmony.”
Barry Manilow remarked that he was fortunate to always have something to concentrate on despite his hectic schedule.
He was getting ready for a show at Radio City Music Hall and working on two CDs at the time. He clarified that he rarely slows down his creative pace, with each project flowing naturally into the next.
