John Prine’s Wife Fiona Has the Coronavirus
Songwriting legend John Prine’s wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Diagnosed late last week, she hasn’t been running a fever, but has been suffering from a cough and some breathlessness, and general fatigue. “I just don’t feel great at all, to put it mildly,” she said in a video she posted on social media on Tuesday, March 17th (see below).
“John however was also tested, and his came back indeterminate. There’s a chance he may not have this virus, and we are working really really hard to be really diligent about all the protocols,” Fiona assured. “We are quarantined completely. We are isolated from each other, from other members of the family. It’s hard, I won’t lie. But it’s absolutely important.”
At 73-years-old with underlying health conditions, John Prine definitely fits the profile of an individual who should be concerned about COVID-19. John Prine is a survivor of squamous cell Cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 1998. Then in 2013, Prine was diagnosed with Cancer in his left lung and underwent surgery to remove it.
Over the last couple of years, John Prine has cancelled numerous appearances due to health issues. “He’s definitely in that vulnerable population,” says Fiona Prine. “This would not be a good virus for him to get, or anyone.”
Though Fiona does not know exactly where she got the virus, she was traveling with John in Europe recently.
Fiona Prine moved to the United States over 25 years ago after meeting John in a studio in Dublin, Ireland. Soon they were married and raising three boys in Nashville. Fiona is also a major part of of John Prine’s label, Oh Boy Records, along with their son Jody Whelan. Fiona is also given credit for convincing John to record his 2016 album For Better or Worse where he sang duets with numerous women from country and roots music, including Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Holly Williams, and others.
“I am fine. And I will recover,” Fiona Prine assures. “We all love John. And we all love musicians. They were the first ones off the block to cancel shows. I’m asking you to please stay at home. That’s all.”
March 19, 2020 @ 7:44 pm
Thoughts and prayers to them and everyone affected by the virus.
March 19, 2020 @ 10:12 pm
No one deserves to go out like this. Not a lovely woman looking after a songwriting grandmaster. Not even a Florida beach full of ignorant co-eds. If the first wave of Corona takes away the Prine’s it’ll be a long year waiting to see who we lose next.
When influenza hit in 1918 there was a second wave in the fall, followed by another outbreak in the winter. Stay home people. You can’t catch this. There’s still no vaccine and the weakened are going to need us to be strong to deal with the aftermath.
March 20, 2020 @ 5:45 am
I think we need to calm down a bit. Yes she is sick but she was not intubated and was able to talk though obviously experiencing discomfort. I wouldn’t jump too far to conclusions just yet. I hope she makes a full recovery. It’s best to take it day by day.
March 20, 2020 @ 2:10 am
Prayers from Italy. We’ll get out of this nightmare.
March 20, 2020 @ 2:59 am
Much prayers and good healing vibes pretty lady! We love you!♥️
#nocoronavirus
#lordletusbeatthisbeast
March 20, 2020 @ 4:24 am
I prayed for him and his wife. But how are all these celebrities and politicians getting it when there are only about 14,000 confirmed cases in the U.S., population 330 million as of March 19? Do you think there are FAR more than 14,000 cases? Maybe 50,000 minimum?
March 20, 2020 @ 6:01 am
Yep
March 20, 2020 @ 7:15 am
Travel. It says so in the article…. “she was traveling with John in Europe recently. ” Cruises, flights… these were the first people to get infected. The travel ban should have been in place in December, but this administration was in denial.
March 20, 2020 @ 11:06 am
There isn’t even a real travel ban now!
American citizens can fly from Rome to NYC tomorrow.
March 20, 2020 @ 11:16 am
They can! That’s crazy.
March 20, 2020 @ 11:19 am
We’re crisis managing bigly.
March 20, 2020 @ 11:05 am
There are probably more than 50,000 cases in NYC alone.
People just can’t get tested.
March 20, 2020 @ 7:33 am
Positive vibes to both of them. I can’t image that he does not have it, based on how extremely contagious it is…that would be some sort of miracle.
March 20, 2020 @ 1:49 pm
Hope your wife is in no pain and recovers quickly…
March 21, 2020 @ 7:29 am
I’m so sorry to read about this. I’m 73 years old and I first heard John Prine sing around mid-eighties and consider him to be the best song writer and singer ever. I continue to watch his YouTube videos, and yours, Fiona, and I absolutely love you both and still hope to attend one of your concerts someday. I missed the last one in December 2019 at the Opry and I regret that so much. My wife and I will continue to pray for you both, and if at all possible we will see you both someday if you perform anywhere near middle Tennessee. God bless, and thanks to you both for all your songs. I think I will crank them up right now after I say a special prayer for you both. Salute.
March 23, 2020 @ 5:22 am
John ! We love youand your music , Our prayers go out for you and your family God Bless
March 31, 2020 @ 4:00 pm
I have been a fan of John’s for many years and hope and pray he is around for many more. There are few singer/songwriters who measure up to his talents.