Carly Simon, the iconic singer‑songwriter, announced she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
In a statement to the BBC, the veteran artist describes the illness as “unpredictable,” noting that some days she feels exhausted while on other days she finds a space to move, think and work. Simon’s 83‑year‑old voice remains unchanged: “I have not stopped living, and I have not stopped working.”
She added that a recent surgery removed a cancerous growth on her face, a procedure that made her more self‑conscious in public. “I’ve always been more critical of my appearance than anyone else could imagine,” she reflected, underscoring an irony in her famous lyric, “You’re So Vain.”
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that affects the brain, nervous system and muscle control. It is the world’s fastest‑growing neurological condition, with about 153,000 people in the UK living with it.
Simon later revealed that arthritis in both knees and one hip had worsened after three replacement surgeries. “I had trouble standing up from low chairs and deep couches without someone offering me an arm,” she said. “Overstuffed furniture became my enemy.” The issues led her to the Mayo Clinic, where she received the Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Alongside medication and therapy, the singer faces anxiety, depression and a distinctive type of apathy that she describes as “a strange inability to get up, read or sing.” She emphasised that it is not laziness but a temporary shift in her brain’s motivation pathways.
In her disclosure, Simon stressed that she is still “writing, singing, imagining, laughing, worrying, remembering and occasionally getting trapped in an overstuffed chair.” She expressed deep gratitude to her children, family, friends and caregivers, acknowledging their essential support during harder days. “Every day will look a little different,” she added, affirming her resolve to keep living fully.
New album in August 2026
Despite her health battle, Simon announced a new album, *Comes In Waves*, set for release in August 2026. Her first single, “Howl,” released last month, celebrates a friend who has recently endured a breakup. The album will revisit themes of love, memory, family, self‑reckoning and forgiveness while leaving room for contradiction, ambiguity and emotional evolution.
Simon’s story remains a testament to resilience and artistry. She encourages listeners that living with Parkinson’s does not mean surrendering creative fire; it means navigating daily changes with humility and gratitude.
