Carly Simon has revealed that she has Parkinson's disease in a statement shared on Monday. The singer-songwriter, who turned 83 last month, also disclosed that she underwent surgery to treat basal cell carcinoma on her face, which led her to withdraw from public view.
Simon Opens Up About Health Struggles
“So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing,” Simon said. “The truth is, I've been learning how to live with Parkinson's disease.” She explained that it took time to understand the diagnosis and decide how much to share. “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,” she added.
Simon, who won the Grammy award for best new artist in 1972 and is known for hits like You're So Vain, Let the River Run, and Nobody Does It Better, said she is still accepting the condition “without feeling that I have surrendered something essential.”
Parkinson's Disease and Its Impact
Parkinson's disease affects more than 10 million people worldwide, with 90,000 diagnosed annually in the US alone, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. Common symptoms include tremor, stiffness, slowed movement, balance issues, depression, anxiety, and apathy. There is no cure, but treatment can manage symptoms.
Simon described the unpredictability of the illness: “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 noted that apathy has been particularly challenging: “It is not simply sadness or laziness. It is as though the part of the brain that sends out invitations to participate in life has temporarily misplaced the guest list.”
Cancer Surgery and Withdrawal
Simon said her health issues began after knee and hip replacements due to arthritis. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the Mayo Clinic. During the same period, she underwent treatment for basal cell carcinoma on her face. The cancer was removed, but the surgery altered her appearance, making her self-conscious. “Between my mobility issues, the Parkinson's diagnosis, the surgery and the emotional effects of it all, withdrawing from public view was the most palatable reaction,” she said.
Music as a Lifeline
Simon revealed that recording her new album, Comes in Waves, scheduled for release on 14 August, has given shape to her days. “It gave me somewhere to go without having to leave the room,” she said. “It reminded me that illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life.” She added that music “has rescued me more times than I can count.”
Simon ended her statement by thanking her doctors, family, and friends. “These days I move more slowly, I lean on others more than I once did, and I have learned to accept that every day will look a little different,” she concluded. “But I am still very much here.”
