Phil Collins has revealed he came terrifyingly close to death during an alcohol-related health crisis — with doctors reportedly considering whether to take the music legend off life support.
The 75-year-old Genesis star said his five children were summoned to his bedside after his kidneys began failing and other organs started shutting down.
“People were coming to say goodbye,” Collins recalled.
Even more heartbreaking, the “In the Air Tonight” singer said he had no idea his family was there because he was unconscious and fighting for his life inside a Swiss hospital.
Collins told The Sunday Times that his longtime manager, who has worked with him for around 50 years, contacted all five of the singer’s children after doctors warned that his condition had become critical.
His children include actresses Lily Collins and Joely Collins, along with sons Simon Collins, Nicolas Collins and Matthew Collins.
“Because there were some decisions to be made about, ‘Do we keep Phil on life support?’ kind of thing,” Collins said.
“My kidneys were packing up, my organs were just seizing up. People were coming to say goodbye.”
Collins said he has no memory of the emotional bedside visits.
“But I don’t remember them coming,” he explained. “I had no idea this was going on. They were all worried that they wouldn’t see me again. It could all have gone so terribly wrong.”
Collins was first hospitalized in Switzerland in November 2023 because of problems connected to his alcohol use.
He was released just days before Christmas, but the relief did not last long.
Within weeks, Collins was rushed back into intensive care. He ultimately spent seven months in the hospital as doctors worked to stabilize him.
Looking back, the Grammy winner said he realizes just how fortunate he was to survive.
“I was very lucky to have come out of that,” he said. “Needless to say, I haven’t had a drink since.”
After recovering, Collins reunited with his family during a four-day gathering at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in London.
The singer described the reunion as one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.
Collins said his daughter Lily became overwhelmed with emotion as she sat beside him.
“She was sitting beside me in tears, saying, ‘I never thought I’d get these moments,’” he recalled.
“We had an incredible time. I can’t overemphasize how fantastic it was.”
Collins has previously spoken openly about his battle with alcohol.
In his 2016 autobiography, Not Dead Yet, the singer said his drinking became worse during a painful period marked by personal problems and chronic back pain.
“Night after night I find myself lying on the bed, staring out of a skylight at grey Swiss skies, rueing my life,” he wrote. “I’m all alone, save for my good friends Johnnie Walker and Grey Goose.”
The music icon has also dealt with a long list of physical problems in recent years, including nerve damage, knee trouble, kidney issues, type 2 diabetes and serious mobility problems.
Collins previously revealed that he now depends on a live-in nurse who watches over him around the clock and makes sure he takes his medication properly.
“It’s an ongoing thing,” he said during an appearance on the BBC’s Eras podcast.
“I have a 24-hour live-in nurse to make sure I take my medication as I should do. I’ve had challenges with my knee. I had everything that could go wrong with me, did go wrong with me.”
Despite the frightening setbacks, Collins said he has remained sober since the hospital ordeal that nearly cost him his life.