Rock legend Linda Perry has revealed that she had a double mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis which would have only given her months to a couple of years to live.
The 59-year-old former 4 Non Blondes frontwoman – who premiered her documentary Linda Perry: Let It Die here last week – talked about her secret health battle with People on Wednesday.
She said: ‘I feel so lucky because there’s so many women that don’t get that opportunity.’
The What’s Up hitmaker revealed in her aforementioned documentary that she had realized that she had cancer whole preparing for an elective breast reduction surgery.
Perry explained: ‘My doctor basically said the cancer that I had was the kind that she finds in people where they have six months to maybe two years to live.
Rock legend Linda Perry has revealed that she had a double mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis which would have only given her months to a couple of years to live
‘And I would’ve never found it, and I would’ve never done anything about it when I started feeling off, because I would’ve thought it was because of my mom and the stressful situation I was under.’
Last week the hitmaker attended the premiere of the new documentary about her life, Linda Perry: Let It Die Here, with her son at the 2024 Tribeca Festival in New York City on Thursday.
The songwriter showed off her distinctive style as she posed with her nine-year-old son, Rhodes Gilbert Perry — whom she shares with ex-wife Sara Gilbert — on the red carpet.
The musician donned her signature wide-brim black hat along with a leather jacket, a grey t-shirt, and matching black pants.
Perry is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer who’s crafted hits for superstars like Adele, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus and Celine Dion among others. She first rose to fame via her chart-topping hit ‘What’s Up’ with her band 4 Non Blondes in 1993.
The documentary, directed by Don Hardy, shows an intimate look at Perry’s life and illustrious career.
Perry attended the premiere of the new documentary about her life, Linda Perry: Let It Die Here, with her son, nine, at the 2024 Tribeca Festival in New York City on Thursday
Layered gold necklaces adorned her neck at the event, while suspenders peeked out from under her jacket.
She added height to her frame with black platform heel boots.
The star accentuated her eyes with a dramatic smokey eyeshadow look for the occasion.
Meanwhile Rhodes showed off his own unique style, rocking a long shirt with a cross motif, black gloves and leggings as well as sparkly black boots.
Perry shares joint legal custody of Rhodes with her ex, The Conners star Sara, 49.
The pair finalized their divorce and custody agreement in 2021, nearly two years after ending their six-year marriage.
Gilbert filed for divorce from Perry in December 2019, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ as the reason for their split.
They met in 2011 and tied the knot in 2014, after Perry proposed in 2013.
The songwriter showed off her distinctive style as she posed with her son, Rhodes Gilbert Perry, on the red carpet
Perry shares her son with her ex, The Conners star Sara Gilbert, 49. Gilbert filed for divorce from Perry in December 2019, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’
The musician donned her signature wide-brim black hat along with a leather jacket, a grey t-shirt, and matching black pants
Layered gold necklaces adorned her neck at the event, while suspenders peeked out from under her jacket
Rhodes showed off his own unique style, rocking a long shirt with a cross motif, black gloves and leggings as well as sparkly black boots
Also present was Stella Rose Gahan, 24, who put on a leggy display in a black dress with a sizzling side slit going all the way to her midriff
Stella’s famous father Dave Gahan, 62 — the lead singer of Depeche Mode — was in attendance as well
Linda and her son Rhodes performed during the big premiere in New York
As she belted into the mic, her son sang along
The rocker showed off her guitar skills at one point in the set
She encouraged the crowd to sing along
Also present was Stella Rose Gahan, 24, who put on a leggy display in a black dress with a sizzling side slit going all the way to her midriff.
Her platinum blonde strands were styled into a pixie cut.
Her famous father Dave Gahan, 62 — the lead singer of Depeche Mode — was in attendance as well.
Dave sported a white windbreaker over a black tee, and pink-tinted glasses.
According to the announcement for the documentary, the film is ‘an intimate look at a vulnerable and courageous woman as she navigates life-altering personal circumstances amidst gnawing career decisions.’
‘Linda’s past and present collide as she seeks to answer the big questions she can no longer avoid: Who am I? Am I loved? What’s my purpose? What will I leave behind?’
‘When I watched this documentary for the first time, I felt proud of how revealing it is, and a little scared,’ Perry said of the film, as per Variety.
‘It gave me some clarity, because I was able to separate myself from the character on the screen and feel empathy for her. As much as I love being creative, I will admit that it’s also incredibly taxing at times.’
The Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, who’s crafted hits for superstars like Adele, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Dolly Parton and more, also posed for portraits at the festival
The film, directed by Don Hardy, shows an intimate look at Perry’s life and illustrious career. There is no information as to when the documentary will be available for wider viewing
‘I don’t know how to make music without bringing my deepest emotions into it, and doing that can leave me feeling raw and exposed and vulnerable.’
‘But, that is the tradeoff. In a way, all artists–who are doing it honestly, anyway–are sacrificing themselves to their art. This is what “Let It Die Here” is about.’
The documentary features interviews with Perry’s colleagues, family, and friends, along with new performance and recording footage.
There is no information as to when the documentary will be available for wider viewing.
