Beloved 90s singer dies after devastating health battle as tributes pour in

Indonesian music fans have been left devastated following the sudden death of Element frontman Lucky Widja at the age of 49. The beloved vocalist passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Halim Hospital in Jakarta, following a years-long battle with a serious illness that he had spoken about candidly with his followers.

Lucky shared he had been fighting kidney tuberculosis after being diagnosed in 2022, and eventually, the condition destroyed the kidney function of the much-loved performer. Heartfelt tributes immediately poured in, with a touching message shared on Instagram by his longtime bandmate Ferdy Tahier, as he wistfully reflected on Lucky's deterioration after his diagnosis.

Ferdy typed: "You are calm now. You are not sick anymore. You don't need blood transfusions or oxygen anymore. You're happy now. You can be young again. Rest peacefully, Ki."

Back in 2023, Lucky had revealed how his health had spiralled quickly during the holy month of Ramadan, and he became so weak that he was unable to walk and was forced to crawl to his bed.

Medical tests later revealed he was suffering from stage five kidney failure, with just 18 % kidney function remaining.

Doctors determined the damage was caused by tuberculosis that had spread beyond his lungs and attacked his urinary system. As his condition worsened, Lucky's weight reportedly dropped dramatically from around 84kg to 64kg.

"I have kidney TB. The tuberculosis attacked my kidneys, ureters, bladder, everything. The entire urinary tract was affected," Lucky said at the time during a discussion shared on Ferdy's YouTube channel.

Tuberculosis is most commonly associated with lung infections, but in rare cases, the bacteria can spread to other organs, including the kidneys. Known as renal or urogenital tuberculosis, the condition is notoriously difficult to detect because its symptoms often mimic common urinary tract infections.

Medical experts say symptoms can include blood in the urine, pain in the lower back and frequent or painful urination. Because the signs are often overlooked, diagnosis is frequently delayed until significant damage has already occurred.

Treatment usually involves long-term antibiotic therapy, but if left untreated, renal TB can lead to permanent kidney damage and ultimately kidney failure.