Carly Simon Opens Up About Parkinson’s Diagnosis and Health Battles

Singer-songwriter Carly Simon has shared that she has Parkinson’s disease following years of struggling with mobility issues. In a statement released Monday, she detailed how the condition has impacted her life. The 83-year-old artist is renowned for her hits like “You’re So Vain” and “Nobody Does It Better.” Initially, Simon thought her physical challenges were due to arthritis and her recovery from joint replacement surgeries. She had surgeries on one hip and both knees, but despite these procedures, her mobility worsened.

“At times, I could not walk without considerable help,” Simon explained, noting that her family later realized there was a more serious cause. After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Simon expressed that she needed time to process the diagnosis before going public. She acknowledged the unique and unpredictable nature of the disease. “Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be unpredictable,” she stated. Simon has experienced overwhelming fatigue as one of the symptoms. “Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all,” she mentioned. However, she noted that some days are more manageable.

Simon has begun treatment that includes medication to help with stiffness and other symptoms. Nevertheless, she described Parkinson’s disease as unpredictable in nature. “There is no tidy or predictable schedule to the illness,” she said.

The Parkinson’s Foundation notes that about 1 million Americans live with the disease, which affects movement due to the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Symptoms can include tremors, slow movement, muscle stiffness, balance issues, and speech difficulties. Although there is no cure, medications and therapies can aid symptom management.

In addition to Parkinson’s, Simon revealed her recent treatment for basal cell carcinoma on her face. The skin cancer was successfully removed, but the surgery altered her appearance and influenced her decision to retreat from public life.

Despite these health challenges, music remains a solace for Simon. She plans to release “Comes in Waves” on August 14, her first album of new songs since 2008. “It reminded me that illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life,” she said.