George Michael’s Secret Health Problem, Plus: His Final Resting Place Revealed

Before his sudden death, singer George Michael was reportedly suffering from a secret health condition.

After he nearly died from pneumonia in 2011, his health was reportedly never the same again. A source told Mirror.uk, "His lungs never fully recovered. That can happen after a serious bout of pneumonia like George had. Sometimes it leaves the lung scarred or damaged, which can lead to a loss of function. Part of the lung basically doesn't work anymore. It can leave you feeling breathless, as the lungs have a smaller capacity than before.”

The source reiterated that George's decision to smoke also didn't help. "George made no secret about how much he smoked. Smoking can seriously affect the lungs and dramatically increases the risk of infection. After having pneumonia, it's incredibly dangerous to smoke at all.”

George's longtime friend Richard Blade recently spoke to “Extra's” special music correspondent Adam Weissler about the late singer's “personal demons.” Watch!

After his passing, George's family has shown their appreciation for all the love and support they have received during this tough time. They said in a statement to The Guardian, “The family and close friends of George have been touched beyond words by the incredible outpouring of love for him in the hours and days since his death. For someone whose life was ultimately about his music and the love he had for his family and friends, his fans and the world at large, there could be no more fitting tribute than the many, many kind words that have been said and the numerous plays his records have received.”

George will reportedly be buried next to his mom in Highgate, North London. An insider told The Sun UK, “It's what he would have wanted.”