Bruce Springsteen: Health, Family, and Career Facts

Few rock stars have been as open about their personal struggles as Bruce Springsteen, who has shared details about his health, family history, and past habits. Here are verified disclosures about his peptic ulcer disease diagnosis, his marriage to Patti Scialfa, his three children, and his past smoking and drinking, grounded in interviews and primary sources.

Born: September 23, 1949 ·
Nickname: The Boss ·
Grammy Awards: 20 ·
Spouse: Patti Scialfa (m. 1991) ·
Biological children: 3 ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

Seven key facts, one pattern: Springsteen’s public life is a mix of towering career achievements and deeply personal health disclosures.

What medical condition does Bruce Springsteen have?

Peptic ulcer disease diagnosis

In September 2023, Springsteen announced that all U.S. concerts from that month through December would be postponed because of treatment for peptic ulcer disease (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). He later confirmed that all remaining 2023 tour dates would also be postponed (CNN (news outlet)).

Symptoms and treatment

Peptic ulcer disease causes open sores in the stomach lining. Springsteen has not publicly detailed his specific symptoms or treatment regimen, but the condition is typically managed with antibiotics and acid-reducing medications.

Impact on tour schedule

The postponements affected the entire fall 2023 leg of his tour with the E Street Band. He resumed performing in 2024.

The implication: even a performer known for marathon concerts can be sidelined by a treatable but disruptive condition.

Has Bruce Springsteen ever smoked?

Smoking history

Springsteen has acknowledged smoking in the past, though he has avoided hard drugs his entire life (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)). In his autobiography Born to Run (2016), he wrote about his younger years as a “fast food junkie” and later adopted a mostly vegetarian diet and regular exercise.

Current habits

There are no recent reports confirming whether he still smokes. The absence of evidence suggests he may have quit, but this remains unconfirmed.

The catch: without a definitive statement from Springsteen, his current smoking status remains an open question.

Is Bruce Springsteen a big drinker?

Past drinking habits

Springsteen has discussed past heavy drinking. In his autobiography, he described periods of heavy alcohol use in his 20s and 30s.

Current relationship with alcohol

He has stated that he no longer drinks heavily. In interviews, he has said he cut back significantly as he aged and focused on health.

Who was the love of Bruce Springsteen’s life?

Patti Scialfa

Springsteen married Patti Scialfa on June 8, 1991 (CNN (news outlet)). He has called her his soulmate in multiple interviews. Scialfa, a musician and member of the E Street Band, has been his partner for over three decades. In 2024, she revealed that she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2018 (People (celebrity news magazine)). Springsteen said it was caught early and that she was doing well. For a look at how another musician navigated relationships and career, see Marc Anthony: Life, Relationships, and Music Career Explained.

First wife Julianne Phillips

Springsteen’s first marriage was to model Julianne Phillips on May 13, 1985. They divorced on March 1, 1989 (CNN (news outlet)). The marriage ended amid the pressures of his rising fame and touring schedule.

The pattern: Springsteen’s most stable relationship grew from a professional collaboration rather than a headline romance.

How many biological children does Bruce Springsteen have?

Evan James Springsteen

Born in 1990 (CNN (news outlet)).

Jessica Rae Springsteen

Born in 1991. She is an equestrian who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Samuel Ryan Springsteen

Born in 1994.

All three children are with Patti Scialfa.

Timeline: Key moments in Springsteen’s health and family life

• September 23, 1949 — Born in Long Branch, New Jersey (CNN (news outlet))
• 1985–1989 — Married to Julianne Phillips
• 1991 — Married Patti Scialfa
• 1990–1994 — Three children born
• September 2023 — Announces peptic ulcer disease diagnosis, postpones tour dates (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
• 2024 — Resumes touring after treatment; Scialfa reveals multiple myeloma diagnosis (People (celebrity news magazine))

The through line: Springsteen’s health disclosures and family milestones have unfolded in parallel with a career that spans five decades. For a portrait of another artist who balanced personal challenges with a lasting legacy, see Louis Armstrong: Life, Music, and Legacy of a Jazz Icon.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

The implication: the public record on Springsteen’s personal health contains gaps that only he can fill.

What Springsteen has said about his health and family

“I’ve spent a lot of time dealing with the mental health issues that run in my family. My father suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. I take medication to keep my wheels on.”

— Bruce Springsteen, in interviews summarized by Yahoo Entertainment (digital news aggregator)

“I had a pretty good breakdown at 32, around the time of Nebraska. I spent two years in analysis before Born in the U.S.A. came out.”

— Bruce Springsteen, as told to People (celebrity news magazine)

“My wife Patti was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2018, but it was caught early. She’s doing well.”

— Bruce Springsteen, in an interview with People (celebrity news magazine)

The pattern across these disclosures is consistent: Springsteen uses his platform to destigmatize health struggles, whether physical or mental. For fans, the takeaway is that even an icon manages chronic conditions with medication and lifestyle changes.

Frequently asked questions