Just Euro 20,000 for Elton John's new baby boy

He's one of Britain's richest stars, with an estimated wealth of £22 million (Rs 190 crore). But according to reports, Elton John forked out just £20,000 (Rs 17 lakh) to the surrogate mother of newborn son Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John. The surrogate had also given birth to their first son Zachary. The superstar and his partner David Furnish, who's second son was born on January 11, paid their surrogate the sum in accordance to the rules of the Center for Surrogate Parenting in Encino, California.

The couple allegedly paid the unnamed surrogate £17,340 (Rs 14.75 lakh) for giving birth to their first son in 2010, and will have to stump up £21,675 if they want to have a third child with the same woman.

A source said, "They do it so they can bring joy and light to married and gay couples who wouldn't otherwise be able to have children." The centre abides by the payment rules so that special treatment is not afforded to people who have more money than others.

It emerged last week that the couple's surrogate had not been named on Elijah's birth certificate, and David has instead
been listed as the little one's mother. Elton is named as his son's father, as he was on Zachary's certificate just two years before, protecting the identity of their biological mother. u00a0