Carly Simon, the Legendary singer-songwriter, has shared that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, offering fans a candid explanation for her recent absence from the public eye. The 83-year-old icon, best known for timeless hits like “You’re So Vain,” “Nobody Does It Better,” and “Anticipation,” made the announcement in a heartfelt statement, today.
“So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing,” Simon wrote. “The truth is, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease.” She described the process of coming to terms with the diagnosis as gradual, noting the time it took to understand it, adjust, and decide how much to share publicly.
Simon explained that her symptoms emerged after arthritis led to three joint replacement surgeries (both knees and one hip). Even after the procedures, her mobility continued to decline. She faced increasing difficulty standing from low chairs, periods when she needed considerable help to walk, and a range of unpredictable effects. “Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable,” she said. “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.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer underwent an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, where doctors confirmed the diagnosis. She has since started treatment, including medication for stiffness and other symptoms. Simon also revealed she was treated for basal cell carcinoma (a form of skin cancer) on her face during this period, which added to her self-consciousness and decision to step back.
Despite the challenges — which can include anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and apathy — Simon struck a resilient tone. “I have not stopped living, and I have not stopped working,” she emphasized. She has been recording a new album, Comes in Waves, her first in years, describing music as a lifelong rescuer that arrives precisely when needed.
Simon acknowledged the difficulties without romanticising them: “I do not consider Parkinson’s a gift or a blessing. It is neither. It is difficult, frustrating, and sometimes frightening.” Yet her message remains one of quiet perseverance as she continues creating and adapting to a new normal. Fans and fellow artists have flooded social media with support for the beloved artist whose voice defined a generation.
Carly Simon’s new album, Coming In Waves, is released on Friday August 14th.
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.