Adele Springsteen, the mother of legendary rock star Bruce Springsteen, passed away at the age of 98 on Wednesday. The news was shared by Mr. Springsteen himself in an emotional Instagram post on Thursday. While no specific cause of death was mentioned, it was revealed that Ms. Springsteen had been battling Alzheimer's disease for over a decade.

Bruce Springsteen has always been vocal about the profound impact his mother had on his musical journey. During his 2021 Broadway show, "Bruce on Broadway," which ran for more than two months, he spoke about his mother's influence on him. He disclosed that Springsteen rented him his first guitar when he was just seven years old. The show, which marked the city's emergence from pandemic-related closures, delved into various aspects of his life, including his relationship with his mother.

At the St. James Theater, in front of a captivated Broadway audience, Springsteen shared how his mother's love for 1940s swing music and her infectious joy in dancing left an indelible mark on him. He also praised her unwavering spirit, even in the face of aging and the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease. Despite being unable to speak or stand, Ms. Springsteen would light up with a smile whenever she saw her son.

Born Adele Zerilli on May 4, 1925, in Brooklyn, she married Douglas Springsteen and gave birth to Bruce in 1949. The couple later had two daughters, Virginia and Pamela. Adele worked as a legal secretary and raised her family in Freehold, New Jersey, while her husband struggled with mental illness and finding steady employment. Despite the challenges they faced, Adele's determination and strength held the family together.

Bruce Springsteen, in his memoir "Born To Run," expressed his gratitude for his mother's unwavering support, writing, "She willed we would be a family and we were. She willed we would not disintegrate and we did not." Her vibrant and high-spirited energy became the driving force in her life, and it radiated to those around her. In a 1987 interview with The Miami Herald, Bruce Springsteen referred to his mother as "the great energy" and credited her consistency and steadfastness for shaping his own character.

Adele Springsteen's passing leaves a void in the music world and in the hearts of those who knew her. Her legacy as a loving and influential mother to one of rock music's greatest icons will forever be remembered. As Bruce Springsteen continues to inspire audiences around the world with his music, his mother's spirit will undoubtedly live on through his performances, her energy forever intertwined with his artistry.