Today, in 2005, Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish, a Canadian filmmaker, became the first gay celebrities to register their relationship as a civil partnership. The 20 minute ceremony took place at The Guild Hall, Windsor, England, guestâs included Ringo Starr, Victoria Beckham, Joss Stone, Sting, Elvis Costello, Jamie Cullum, George Michael, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, etc.
Elton John met David Furnish, 15 years his junior, in October 1993. Sober for three years following more than a decade of substance abuse, the singer was learning to live life without drugs or alcohol, residing mainly at his home in Atlanta. Having returned to his estate in Windsor, England, John decided to expand his social circle.
âI wanted to meet new people so I rang up a friend in London and said, âCould you please rattle some new people together for dinner here Saturday?ââ John told Parade in 2010. Reluctantly, Furnish, an ad exec based in London, agreed to accompany a friend to the meal but was prepared for a dull evening. It proved to be anything but as the host and guest soon became acquainted.
âI was attracted to David immediately,â John told Parade. âHe had a real job, his own apartment, a car. He was independent. I didnât need to take care of him. I thought, âGod, this is new territory for me â someone wants to be with me just because he likes me.â I knew he was the one because he is not afraid of me. He always tells me exactly what he thinks.â
Happy anniversary, Sir Elton & Dave!
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Featured Image: Sowetan Live.
