Patti Scialfa, longtime member of the E Street Band and wife of Bruce Springsteen,

has revealed her private battle with multiple myeloma, a cancer that weakens the immune system.

Speaking at the September 8 premiere of Rock Diary:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Toronto International Film Festival,

she shared that she was diagnosed in 2018 and has since stepped back from touring to protect her health.

“This affects my immune system, so I have to be careful about what I do and where I go,”

Scialfa explained. “Sometimes I’ll join Bruce for a few songs—those moments are special.

It’s a new chapter for me, and I’m at peace with it.” In a separate interview with Asbury Park Press

, Scialfa opened up about skipping Springsteen’s 2023 tour to work on her solo album and spend more time with her granddaughter,

Lily, born in July 2022.

She admitted that with so many musicians on stage, she didn’t feel her presence was essential, and stepping back felt natural.

“Once I saw everything flowing just fine,

I knew I could focus on my own music,” she said.

Her solo work took shape during this quieter period, especially since Springsteen tends to dominate studio time when he’s home.

Scialfa’s announcement comes as Springsteen himself faces ongoing health challenges.

In 2023, he postponed his tour to undergo treatment for peptic ulcer disease, and in early summer 2024,

he canceled more shows due to vocal strain. Despite these setbacks, the couple remains resilient.

Patti continues to fight her illness with grace and strength, and her story is a reminder of quiet courage behind the scenes.