Grammy Award-winning singer Carly Simon announced Monday that she has been living with Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement.
Simon, 83, opened up about the reason she has stayed out of the public spotlight.
“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,” she said.
The singer-songwriter, best known for her hit song “You’re So Vain," had been dealing with arthritis in one hip and both knees, which led to replacement surgeries on all three joints. However, her challenges with mobility continued to worsen, saying there were times when she was unable to walk without help.
Concerned that there may have been another underlying issue, Simon and her family sought additional answers. After undergoing an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, she was ultimately diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Beyond her music, the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer has been open with her fans about her personal life and health challenges, including battles with breast cancer, Lyme disease, and skin cancer.
Simon said she chose to keep her condition private while she adjusted to the news and learned how to manage life with the disease.
“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,” she explained. “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.”
Parkinson's happens when certain nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical responsible for helping control movement, become damaged or die. As the levels of dopamine dip, people can experience symptoms such as tremors, slowed movement, muscle stiffness, and issues with balance and coordination.
The disease can also cause sleep difficulties, fatigue, changes in mood, reduced sense of smell, and changes in thinking or memory.
Researchers believe Parkinson’s develops through a combination of genetic factors and environmental factors.
Currently, there is no cure for the disease. Those diagnosed with Parkinson’s can be treated with medications, physical therapy, and exercise.
“I began treatment, including taking medication to help with stiffness and other symptoms,” Simon said. “There is no tidy or predictable schedule to the illness. It does not consult my calendar before deciding what kind of day I am going to have.”
The condition progresses with each person differently and many people continue to live active lives with proper care and support.
Alongside her announcement, Simon shared that she had recently undergone surgery for basal cell skin cancer and emphasized that music has remained a source of strength throughout her health challenges. She also revealed that she had completed a new album, "Comes in Waves," describing the music as a reflection of resilience and hope.
The album will be released on Aug. 14 and marks her first album of original songs since 2008.