Legendary singer Gladys Knight is taking a break from touring. The 82-year-old icon announced her plans in an Instagram post, saying she is ready to focus on some new chapter of her life.

What did Gladys Knight say about taking a break?

Knight said in her Instagram post that she will spend more time with her family as she takes a break from touring.

“After much soul searching I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward,” Knight wrote in a statement. “I’ll be spending more time on projects with my husband and visiting with my grandbabies and am looking forward to this new era.”

Knight made her decision as she was in the middle of her 2026 tour, Deadline reported. She also joined Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills a year ago to take part in The Queens Tour.

Are there concerns about Gladys Knight’s health?

Speculations about Knight’s health surfaced during the Queens Tour when the singer’s son Shanga Hankerson said he is concerned about her well-being. Speaking with People, Hankerson said his mother’s busy schedule may be causing issues for her health.

Knight, however, refuted the claims. A spokesperson told People that Knight may consider “any and all legal remedies due to Shanga’s defamatory comments.”

More concerns followed recently when Knight appeared to be wandering off the stage and missing cues during the Hollywood Bowl concert. Shortly before Knight made her latest announcement, her husband William McDowell told TMZ that his wife’s wish is to keep performing, but some days are difficult.

“No one is ever gonna make me say, ‘My wife is well,’ but all she wants to do is sing,” McDowell told TMZ.

While there have been speculations about Knight possibly having signs of dementia, McDowell said she has not been diagnosed at the moment, but she will be evaluated soon.

“I’d like to take a moment, in advance, to thank all my fans over this last three quarters of a century for making a little girl’s dream come true and supporting her every step of the way,” Knight said on Instagram. “I am immensely grateful to all of you and send my eternal love back to you. I hope to see your smiling faces out and about and on the road. God bless all of you and hope to see you soon.”