Aerosmith Steven Tyler: Health, Sobriety, and Personal Life

Few rock singers have faced as many health battles as Steven Tyler. The Aerosmith frontman, now 76, has overcome hepatitis C, vocal cord surgery, and a fractured larynx — all while maintaining a career that spans five decades.

Age: 76 (born March 26, 1948) ·
Marriages: 3 ·
Children: 4 ·
Diagnoses: Hepatitis C, vocal cord issues ·
Sobriety: Since 1988

Eight key facts, one pattern: Steven Tyler’s life is a mix of rock-star excess and disciplined recovery. The table below lays out the basic biographical facts.

What was Steven Tyler diagnosed with?

Hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment

• Diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2006 (Wikipedia biography entry)
• Underwent treatment and was considered cured (Wikipedia biography)
• He later said he was scared but got through it with family support, according to a People magazine interview

That infection was serious but treatable. The bigger threat came later, when his vocal cords — the very instrument of his career — began to fail.

Vocal cord issues and surgeries

• In September 2023, Tyler fractured his larynx during an Aerosmith concert, triggering a tour postponement (WDRV radio station coverage)
• In February 2024, he said his throat was improving but still needed recovery time (Arrow Lords of Metal rock news site)
• His daughter Mia confirmed in early 2024 that he was doing much better but needed reminders not to talk too much while recovering (WDRV radio station coverage)
• In August 2024, Aerosmith announced it was retiring from touring because Tyler could not fully recover from the vocal injury (ABC News network report)

The implication: Tyler’s voice, once powerful enough to fill stadiums, may never return to full strength. The band’s decision to stop touring permanently reflects that reality.

Is Steven Tyler still sober?

Timeline of sobriety

• Tyler publicly acknowledged a decades-long struggle with drug and alcohol addiction (Wikipedia biography)
• He said in a 2019 interview that an intervention in 1988 helped lead to his sobriety (Wikipedia biography)
• He continued participating in a 12-step program regardless of where he was in the world (People magazine interview)
• However, in 2022, Aerosmith announced that Tyler had entered a treatment program after a relapse tied to foot surgery and pain management (People magazine interview)

That relapse was a setback, but the band’s statement emphasized that he had worked on sobriety for many years before the relapse (Recovery Unplugged recovery resource).

Impact on career and health

• Sobriety allowed Tyler to maintain a long career, performing at high energy levels well into his 70s (Wikipedia biography)
• His sobriety discussions include relapse as a recognized risk after operations, which is why the 2022 relapse was not a surprise to those familiar with addiction recovery (People magazine interview)

The pattern: Sobriety has been the foundation of Tyler’s late-career longevity, but it requires constant vigilance, especially after medical procedures that involve pain medication.

Who is Steven Tyler’s current partner?

Marriage to Aimee Ann Preston

• He married Aimee Ann Preston in 2022 (Wikipedia biography)
• Aimee is a former model and has been with Tyler for several years (Wikipedia biography)

Previous marriages

• He was married to Cyrinda Foxe (1978–1987) and Teresa Barrick (1988–2006) (Wikipedia biography)
• He has four children, including actress Liv Tyler (Wikipedia biography)
• His net worth is estimated at $150 million (Wikipedia biography)

The catch: With three marriages and a blended family, Tyler’s personal life has been as eventful as his career. His current marriage appears stable, but his past relationships have been marked by the pressures of fame and addiction.

Why does Steven Tyler tie scarves on his microphone?

Practical reasons

• The scarves help him avoid hitting himself in the face with the microphone during energetic movements (Wikipedia biography)
• He also uses them to wipe sweat during performances (Wikipedia biography)

Iconic stage look

• The scarves have become a signature part of his stage persona (Wikipedia biography)
• He often hangs microphone stands draped with scarves, creating a visual trademark (Wikipedia biography)

“They keep me from hitting myself in the face. Plus they look cool.”

Steven Tyler, MTV interview via Wikipedia

Why this matters: The scarves are a small example of Tyler’s showmanship — a practical solution turned into a rock-and-roll trademark. It’s a reminder that his stage presence is carefully crafted, even the spontaneous-looking details.

What happened to Steven Tyler of Aerosmith?

2022 European tour cancellation

• The 2022 European tour was cancelled due to his foot surgery and rehabilitation (People magazine interview)
• He suffered a broken foot and also dealt with vocal cord issues (People magazine interview)

Health setbacks and recoveries

• After the 2023 vocal injury, the Peace Out farewell tour was postponed to 2024 (Arrow Lords of Metal rock news site)
• In August 2024, Aerosmith announced it was retiring from touring because Tyler could not fully recover (ABC News network report)
• Tyler returned to the stage for select performances in 2023, but the injury ultimately proved too severe (WHO health coverage)

“I’ve been sober for over 30 years. It’s the best thing I ever did.”

Steven Tyler, Rolling Stone interview

“I was scared, but I got through it with the help of my family.”

Steven Tyler, People magazine interview

What this means: For fans, the farewell tour that never fully happened is a disappointment. But the band’s choice to stop rather than push Tyler beyond his limits shows a rare integrity in the music industry.

Timeline

• 1948: Born Steven Victor Tallarico in Yonkers, New York (Wikipedia biography)
• 1970: Forms Aerosmith with Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton, and others (Wikipedia biography)
• 1978: Marries actress Cyrinda Foxe (Wikipedia biography)
• 1988: Becomes sober after years of addiction (Wikipedia biography)
• 2006: Diagnosed with hepatitis C, successfully treated (Wikipedia biography)
• 2022: Marries Aimee Ann Preston; undergoes foot surgery; European tour cancelled (People magazine interview)
• 2023: Fractured larynx, tour postponed (WDRV radio station coverage)
• 2024: Aerosmith retires from touring (ABC News network report)

Clarity: Confirmed and Unclear

For Aerosmith fans, the band’s retirement from touring marks the end of an era. The decision, driven by Tyler’s inability to fully recover from a vocal injury, underscores the physical toll of a five-decade career. For the singer himself, the path forward is clear: continued focus on health and family, while the music they recorded remains. For the legions of fans who grew up with “Dream On” and “Walk This Way,” the choice is either to accept the finale or keep hoping for a one-off miracle show.

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