Singer Carly Simon has revealed she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is learning to live with the progressive neurological disorder.
The 81-year-old artist shared her health journey in a statement to ABC News as she prepares to release her new album, "Comes in Waves," on August 14, 2026.
>>> Hamilton Criticizes Ferrari Strategy After Pit-Lane Penalty in Hungary
Simon explained her initial silence about the diagnosis and the unpredictable nature of Parkinson's.
"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.
"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 added.
Simon described the unpredictability of the illness: "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."
Her health issues began with arthritis in both knees and one hip, leading to three joint replacement surgeries.
Despite this, her mobility worsened, eventually requiring considerable assistance to walk.
After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, Simon was officially diagnosed with Parkinson's. She began treatment including medication to address stiffness and other symptoms.
Simon also revealed she was treated for basal cell carcinoma on her face during this time. The surgery affected her appearance and increased her self-consciousness about public appearances.
