Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon has revealed that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, opening up about her health journey and the challenges of living with the progressive neurological disorder.
In a statement shared with People on Monday, the Grammy-winning artist explained that she had kept her diagnosis private while learning to adapt to the disease and deciding whether to speak publicly about it.
“So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing. The truth is, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease,” Simon said.
The 82-year-old added that accepting the diagnosis and adjusting to life with Parkinson’s had taken time.
“It has taken me some time to understand the diagnosis, to adjust to it, and to decide how much I wanted to say about it publicly. Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable. Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all. On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work, and feel like myself,” she said.
Simon also revealed that she underwent treatment for basal cell carcinoma after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Looking back on the early signs of the condition, Simon said she initially believed her mobility issues were related to arthritis and multiple joint replacement surgeries.
“The problems began with arthritis in both knees and one hip. I eventually had all three joints replaced, out with the old and in with delicate bouquets of metal and plastic. After three replacement surgeries, I assumed my difficulty walking was simply an unfortunate and rather ironic part of the recovery process,” she said.
However, her symptoms continued to worsen, leading to her eventual Parkinson’s diagnosis.
“But my mobility continued to worsen. I had trouble standing up from low chairs and deep couches without someone offering me an arm. Overstuffed furniture became my enemy. Once seated, I could feel as though I had been swallowed by the chair and might remain there permanently, like a guest who had badly overstayed her welcome,” Simon recalled.
Simon’s announcement sheds light on the daily realities of living with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder that affects movement and can present differently from person to person. Her decision to share her experience publicly comes after years of quietly managing the condition while continuing to navigate its physical and emotional challenges.
