Engelbert Humperdinck Reflects on His Time in a Sanatorium

Engelbert Humperdinck, the British singer, recently shared details about his stay in a sanatorium in 1961 during his podcast, “The Engelbert Humperdinck Show.” At 90 years old, he recounted his experience at Leicester’s Groby Road Hospital Sanatorium where he was treated for tuberculosis.

He described the challenging treatments, explaining that he had to stay on his back for about eight weeks without sitting up or doing any strenuous activity. Each morning involved receiving a painful injection. He noted, “There was one lady nurse who seemed not to like me much. The injections she gave me hurt, leaving big blue marks.”

After enduring painful injections, Humperdinck thought mischievously about doing something in return.

Humperdinck decided to play a prank on the nurse. With help from a friend in the next bed, he obtained some rope. When the nurse arrived in the morning, he tied her hands behind her back and placed her in an empty bed.

When the doctor made his rounds, he seemed aware of Humperdinck’s involvement but chose to ignore the situation. Once the nurse was free, Humperdinck was in trouble; however, he insisted he would not allow her to inject him again. A male nurse later took over, which he found much better.

Humperdinck’s time in the sanatorium began after he coughed up blood during a concert in Manchester. Initially diagnosed with a throat infection, his mother pushed for further testing, resulting in the discovery of tuberculosis.

He recounted a poignant moment when his mother visited, asking, “Mom, is this place a great place? You remember when you brought me in, the priest was here for an hour?” His mother revealed that the priest was administering last rites, as doctors believed he had only three days to live.

After overcoming this severe health scare, Humperdinck found significant success in the music industry. His breakout came in 1967 with “Release Me,” topping U.K. charts. His official biography states he has sold over 140 million records globally, earned four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.