LAS VEGAS, December 18, 2025 – Barry Manilow, the iconic singer-songwriter behind decades of hits like “Copacabana” and “Mandy,” has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will undergo surgery, he announced Monday. Early detection offers a hopeful prognosis, as doctors do not currently believe the cancer has spread.
A blessed Discovery Amidst Health Challenges
The diagnosis came after Manilow battled recent bouts of bronchitis, leading his doctor to order a precautionary MRI.
The 82-year-old revealed the diagnosis to fans via social media, explaining the lesion was discovered after experiencing six weeks of bronchitis followed by a five-week relapse. “even tho I had already overcome bronchitis and was back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my splendid doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure everything was fine,” he shared.
“the MRI discovered a cancerous spot in my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was caught so early. That’s the good news,” Manilow wrote. “The bad news is that now that the Christmas Gift Of Love concerts are over, I’m going to have surgery. The doctors do not believe it has spread and I am undergoing tests to confirm the diagnosis. So that’s it. No chemotherapy. No radiotherapy. just chicken soup and repeats I Love Lucy.”
Consequently of the surgery,Manilow has postponed his planned U.S.tour,which included stops in Orlando,Tampa,Charleston,Greensboro,and Columbus in January 2026. “The only deadline is a month of recovery, which means we will have to reschedule the January concerts in stadiums… I am very sorry that you have to change your plans,” he expressed. “Something tells me that February is going to be a big holiday… I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and remember, if you have even the slightest symptom, get tested!”
This isn’t Manilow’s first encounter with significant health challenges. Over the years, he has publicly addressed issues with his vocal cords, throat cancer, a tumor in his mouth, heart problems, hip surgery, and multiple bronchial infections.
Manilow has also been open about his past struggles with tobacco. He began smoking at age nine and continued for 30 years. “I smoked for 30 years, I started when I was nine. Then I quit about 15 or 20 years ago until the band and I went to a small club in Las Vegas, someone offered me a cigarette and I came back. I didn’t smoke a pack a day as When I was a real smoker I smoked three packs a day, without a filter.,” he revealed in a 2012 interview with the london Evening Standard.
Approximately a decade ago, Manilow transitioned to vaping.”Do they work? Yes for me,my band and my team,for all of us who hated smoking but couldn’t quit,” he stated,adding that his passion for music and performing fuels his perseverance.
