Dale Bozzio, the iconic frontwoman of influential 1980s new wave band Missing Persons, says there is one piece of advice she would give her younger self: don’t get breast implants.
In a candid conversation with Yahoo’s Suzy Byrne, the 70-year-old singer behind hits such as Destination Unknown revealed she is suffering from severe capsular contracture — a serious and painful condition in which excessive scar tissue forms around breast implants. Over time, the condition has caused her implants to harden, become misshapen and trigger constant pain, leaving her largely unable to work or maintain daily activities.
Bozzio is now awaiting surgery to have the implants removed, a procedure being funded through a GoFundMe campaign organized by her son, Troy McKenzie. The surgery is not covered by insurance, as insurers consider the implants an elective choice, and the complications have prevented Bozzio from performing or recording music — her primary source of income. Following removal, she faces breast reconstruction surgery and a lengthy recovery.
The process has been further complicated by illness. A prolonged bout with the flu delayed the operation, which is now tentatively expected in early 2026. During the procedure, doctors will also assess whether Bozzio has breast cancer — a possibility that cannot be ruled out until the implants are removed.
“I ignored the symptoms,” Bozzio said, admitting she continued to prioritize touring and recording over her health. “I thought it would get better. I waited too long.”
According to Bozzio, extensive scar tissue has grown in multiple directions around the implants, requiring surgeons to remove significant amounts of tissue. “It’s all going to go,” she said.
She also revealed that the potential cancer risk has weighed heavily on her, not just personally, but as a broader issue for women’s health. “My doctor told me he can’t see behind the implants. Until they’re out, we won’t know,” she explained. “That disturbs me the most — for all women.”
Bozzio, who was discovered by Frank Zappa and later signed to Prince’s label, said her insurance has denied coverage for the surgery. “They tell you, ‘You elected this,’” she said. “That was your choice.”
Physically, the toll has been severe. “I can’t even walk across the street to the post office,” she said. “It feels like I’m 100, not 70.”
Reflecting on her decision to get implants — first in 1988 and later replaced in 1996 — Bozzio acknowledged deep regret. She linked the choice to long-standing insecurities about her appearance and the pressures of the entertainment industry. “I thought getting big boobs would make me attractive,” she said. “Now I may have given myself a lifelong illness. No compliment is worth that.”
Financially, the situation has been equally difficult. Bozzio said she is living month to month, does not own a home and relies on her sons for support. With live performances impossible, she has no reliable income stream. “I’m flat broke,” she said.
Despite the hardship, Bozzio remains resilient, drawing strength from her faith and past survival. At 21, she narrowly escaped death after being pushed from a hotel window, an experience that led to months of recovery — and ultimately to the creation of Destination Unknown. “Everything can change in an instant,” she reflected.
Today, her life is quieter, centered around her two sons and her belief in a higher power. She views her current struggle not as punishment, but as a lesson she feels compelled to share. “God wants me to sit still and tell people what I’ve learned,” she said.
Bozzio is asking supporters for prayers and continued help as she prepares for surgery and recovery. “I’ve jumped through hoops of fire before,” she said. “I’ll do it again. That’s all I can do now.”
