Engelbert Humperdinck Reflects on 1961 Sanatorium Experience

Engelbert Humperdinck, a renowned British singer, recently discussed his time at Groby Road Hospital Sanatorium in Leicester. This period in 1961 followed a tuberculosis diagnosis.

On his podcast, The Engelbert Humperdinck Show, the 90-year-old shared memories of the treatments he underwent. He recounted being confined to bed, unable to sit up or engage in strenuous activities for roughly eight weeks. Mornings began with a painful injection, which led to a challenging interaction with a particular nurse.

Humperdinck described the nurse as causing severe discomfort with each injection. “There was one lady nurse who was, I don’t think she liked me very much,” he said, recounting his pleas for another nurse, which were denied.

Humperdinck expressed his frustration, saying, “When I’m a little better, I’m going to do something.”

He devised a prank with a fellow patient. Humperdinck tied the nurse’s hands and laid her on an empty bed. When the doctor came around, he was aware of Humperdinck’s actions but chose to ignore them.

After this incident, Humperdinck refused further injections from her, insisting on a male nurse who was gentler.

Humperdinck’s stay in the sanatorium lasted six months. Initially, during a concert in Manchester, he had coughed up blood and received a misdiagnosis of a throat infection. His mother insisted on further tests, which revealed tuberculosis. He was quickly sent to the sanatorium after an X-ray confirmed the diagnosis.

Recalling those tough days, Humperdinck mentioned a priest’s visit during his time at the sanatorium. “Mom, is this place a great place?” he asked, only to learn that he had been read his last rites, facing a potentially fatal prognosis.

Humperdinck, originally Arnold George Dorsey, found fame in 1967 with his song “Release Me,” which topped the U.K. charts. His career achievements include selling over 140 million records, earning four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for entertainer of the year, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.