For decades, Barry Gibb—the legendary voice and last surviving member of the Bee Gees—has captivated the world with his soaring falsetto and heartfelt songwriting. But now, at 78, he’s finally opening up about a personal health battle that fans had quietly suspected for years: his struggle with chronic, widespread arthritis.
“I suffer from extensive arthritis,” Gibb admitted in a recent interview. “It’s pretty much everywhere.”
The pain began in the late 1980s during the Bee Gees’ “One for All” world tour, when he started experiencing intense lower back pain. Over the years, the condition worsened, affecting his hands, shoulders, knees, and wrists. There were times, Gibb revealed, when he could barely get out of bed—his mobility limited, his spirit tested.
“There were days five years ago when I literally couldn’t move,” he said. “I was living in constant pain.”
For a man whose identity is so deeply tied to his guitar and his ability to perform, the disease was more than physical—it was emotional. He began strapping his wrists for support during concerts and had to adapt the way he played, refusing to give up the stage despite the limitations.
In addition to arthritis, Barry also faced a heart scare that brought him dangerously close to stepping away from the spotlight for good. He experienced erratic palpitations and high blood pressure brought on by stress, eventually being diagnosed with irregular heart contractions—another wake-up call that forced him to reconsider his health and lifestyle.
“Everything came at once,” he admitted. “It felt like my body was trying to slow me down.”
In response, Gibb made major lifestyle changes. He embraced a healthier diet and added swimming to his daily routine—something he credits with dramatically improving his strength and reducing his pain.
Despite it all, Barry Gibb continues to perform and create. In fact, he’s currently preparing for a 2025 world tour, a testament to his unbreakable spirit and lifelong passion for music.
“As long as my voice works, I’ll keep using it,” he said.
Now, with honesty and humility, Barry Gibb has confirmed what so many fans already felt in his music—that beneath the polished showmanship was a man quietly enduring, quietly overcoming. And in revealing this truth, he’s reminded us that the greatest strength often lies in vulnerability.
He didn’t stop singing. He didn’t stop believing. And at 78, Barry Gibb is still standing—stronger, wiser, and more inspiring than ever.