Woman playing guitar and singing on stage

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Carly Simon Reveals Parkinson's Diagnosis at 83

healthJul 29, 2026·377 words·3 min read

The American singer-songwriter Carly Simon announced on Monday that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive brain disorder that chiefly affects movement. In a written statement, the 83-year-old musician explained that her recent retreat from public life had a medical cause. "The truth is, I've been learning how to live with Parkinson's disease," she wrote, adding that she had needed time to understand the diagnosis, adjust to it and decide how much to disclose.

Simon first had arthritis, or pain in the joints, in one hip and both knees. Doctors replaced all three joints, but she still found it harder and harder to walk. Then doctors at the Mayo Clinic examined her and found Parkinson's. The illness starts when brain cells stop making dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement. Common signs are shaking hands, stiff muscles and slow movement. More than 10 million people in the world have this illness.

There is no cure, but medicine and exercise can help. Simon takes medicine for stiff muscles. She also made a new album called "Comes in Waves", and it comes out on 14 August. She said the music helped her a lot. She now moves slowly, but she wants people to know that she is still here.

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