Carly Simon Reveals Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis

NEW YORK, NY. (THECOUNT) — Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon, 83, has revealed she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, saying she has spent time understanding the condition, adjusting to the diagnosis and deciding when she was ready to share the news publicly.

Simon, known for some of the most recognizable songs in American music including “You’re So Vain,” “Nobody Does It Better” and “Let the River Run,” announced the diagnosis Monday after fans and others began asking about her recent absence from public life.

“The truth is, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease,” Simon said in a statement, adding that she was working to accept the condition “without feeling that I have surrendered something essential.”

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and can cause symptoms including tremors, stiffness, and difficulties with balance and movement. There is currently no cure for the condition.

Simon said she sometimes experiences extreme fatigue, describing moments when she feels “so tired I can’t get the day moving at all.” However, she also said the diagnosis has brought moments where she feels she has “more room to move, think, work and feel like myself.”

The singer said her health challenges began after undergoing replacements of both knees and one hip because of arthritis. She was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s following an evaluation at the Mayo Clinic.

Simon said one of the more difficult symptoms has been the apathy that can accompany the disease, explaining that it is not simply sadness or a lack of motivation but something connected to how the brain processes engagement with daily life.

Around the same period, Simon also underwent surgery to treat basal cell carcinoma on her face. She said the procedure affected her appearance and made her more self-conscious about being seen in public.

Despite those challenges, Simon said creating music has remained an important source of purpose. Her upcoming album, “Comes in Waves,” marks her first collection of original songs in 18 years. The album’s lead single, “Howl,” was released in June.

Simon said working on the album helped give structure to her days and reminded her that illness can alter a person’s life without defining the entirety of it.

“Music has rescued me more times than I can count,” Simon said, adding that she now relies on others more than she once did and has learned to accept that each day may look different.

Simon concluded her statement by emphasizing that she remains active and engaged despite her diagnosis, saying, “I am still very much here.”

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