No Adoption for Sir Elton John and David Furnish

Despite previous reports that Sir Elton John and partner David Furnish would be adopting a child from the Ukraine, the country's law is barring the adoption from taking place, E! Online reports.

During a visit on Saturday to an orphanage in the Ukraine as part of an anti-AIDS campaign, John fell for Lev, a 14-month old orphan whose parents had died of the disease.

"Having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don't know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. And he has stolen David's heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home. I've changed my mind today," John expressed.

John who had until recently maintained his age and work schedule are not conducive to raising a family, seemed to have a change of heart upon the sudden death of his long-time friend and musical collaborator Guy Babylon.

"It broke my heart because he was such a genius and so young and has two wonderful children," said John. "What better opportunity to replace someone I lost than to replace him with someone I can give a future to."

Despite John's new outlook, Ukraine law forbids the adoption from taking place. Family, Youth and Sports Minister Yuriy Pavlenko told reporters that Ukrainian law requires adoptive parents to be both married and under the age of 45. (Read Pavlenko's statement here.) On both counts, John is not deemed an eligible candidate: John and Furnish are in a same-sex union (which does not fit the legal definition of marriage in the Ukraine) and John is 62 years of age, well above the age limitation set by the Ukraine Government.

Sir Elton John and Canadian-born partner, David, a former advertising executive, met in 1993. The two entered into a civil partnership in December 2005.

John's musical career spans four decades, and he has sold over 200 million records thus far. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits, including seven consecutive No. 1 U.S. albums, 56 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, four No. 2 hits, and nine No. 1 hits. He has won five Grammy awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Tony Award.

His most recent musical, Billy Elliot won 10 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical.