Bruce Springsteen’s mother, Adele Springsteen, died Wednesday at age 98, the musician confirmed on social media.
The Boss commemorated his late mother by sharing lyrics from his song, «The Wish,» which was dedicated to the sacrifices his mother made. The post included a video of the musician dancing with his mother to swing music.
«Adele Springsteen – May 4, 1925-January 31, 2024,» the caption reads.
Bruce Springsteen announced that his mother, Adele, has died at age 98. (Lester Cohen/WireImage)
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It continued, «I remember in the morning mom hearing your alarm clock ring. I’d lie in bed and listen to you getting ready for work, the sound of your makeup case on the sink. And the ladies at the office all lipstick, perfume and rustling skirts, how proud and happy you always looked walking home from work.»
«It ain’t no phone call on Sunday, flowers or a Mother’s Day card. It ain’t no house on the hill with a garden and a nice little yard. I’ve got my hot rod down on Bond Street I’m older but you’ll know me in a glance. We’ll find us a Little rock ‘n roll bar and we’ll go out and dance.»
Adele’s cause of death has not been revealed, though Springsteen spoke out about her battle with Alzheimer’s disease in July 2021 during his concert residency «Springsteen on Broadway.»
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While speaking at one of his shows, the New Jersey native recalled that as children, he and his sisters were inspired by Adele’s love of music and dancing.
«My mother loves to dance,» Springsteen said, per «Today.» «She grew up in the ’40s … [with] the big bands and the swing bands, and that was a time when dancing was an existential act.»
«She’s 95, and she’s 10 years into Alzheimer’s, and that’s taken a lot away from us,» he continued. «But the need to dance hasn’t left her.»
Springsteen explained that Adele was still able to recognize him though she was suffering debilitating effects from her disease.
«She can’t speak. She can’t stand. She can’t feed herself. But when she sees me, there is always a smile, still a smile. And there’s still a kiss,» he said. «And there’s a sound which she makes when she sees me. It’s just the sound, but I know it means ‘I love you.'»
Springsteen continued, «And when I put on Glen Miller, and she starts moving in her chair — she does, she does — she starts reaching out for me, to take her in my arms once more and to dance with her across the floor.»
«This is an essential part of mom’s spirit, it’s who she is,» he added. «It’s beyond language, and it’s more powerful than memory. It’s the embodiment. This is what she has put her trust in and lived her life by and which, despite all she has suffered, she carries on with to this moment, as if life’s beauty never deserted her. I love her.»
«The Boss» previously spoke out about his mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
At one of the singer’s shows in 2012, Adele joined Springsteen onstage to celebrate his 63rd birthday. She danced and sang background to «Twist and Shout,» walking offstage with Springsteen and his band at nearly 2 a.m., per the Associated Press.
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In a 2013 concert, Springsteen was performing «Dancing in the Dark» when he walked into the crowd mid-song to escort Adele onstage where they had a dance-off. During a 2016 show at Madison Square Garden, Springsteen joined his then-90-year-old mother in the crowd for a dance to his hit song «Ramrod.»
The pair was seen dancing to Soul Brothers Six’s «Some Kind of Wonderful» and The Beatles’ «Eight Days a Week» at New Jersey’s Wonder Bar in a 2018 viral video.
Musician Bruce Springsteen, standing with his mother, Adele Springsteen, second right, and his aunts, Dora Kirby, left, and Ida Urbelis, is honored at the 9th annual Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards, April 22, 2010, on Ellis Island in New York. (Getty Images)
Born Adele Ann Zirilli, the Brooklyn native married Springsteen’s father, Douglas Springsteen, in 1948. The two, who shared Springsteen and daughters Pamela and Virginia, were married until Douglas’ death in 1998 at age 73.
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Adele worked as a legal secretary for 47 years and primarily supported the family with her income while Springsteen was growing up. Douglas was a World War II veteran who worked as a bus driver and battled mental health issues throughout his life.
Springsteen wrote in his 2016 memoir «Born to Run» that Adele had encouraged him to pursue his love of music and rented him his first guitar when he was 7.
In a 1984 interview with the San Mateo Times, Adele and Douglas shared their excitement over their son’s success.
Adele was known for dancing with her son at his concerts. (Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images)
«There aren’t any words to describe it,» Adele told the outlet. «What would you do if your kid was smiling at you from every People magazine in town?»
«All our children are nice children,» she added. «We’re proud of all of them.»
