Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon, 83, has revealed she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and has undergone treatment for basal cell carcinoma. Simon shared details of her health journey in a statement to People, explaining that she has been out of the public eye for approximately seven years.
Simon described how her mobility issues began with arthritis in her knees and hip, leading to three joint replacement surgeries. However, her mobility continued to decline, making it difficult to stand from chairs without assistance. "After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s," she stated.
She is currently undergoing treatment, including medication to manage stiffness and other symptoms. Simon noted that Parkinson's can be unpredictable, affecting not only movement but also potentially causing anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. "It is not simply sadness or laziness. It is as though the part of the brain that sends out invitations to participate in life has temporarily misplaced the guest list," she explained.
During this period, Simon was also treated for basal cell carcinoma on her face. The surgery to remove the cancer, while successful, left her feeling self-conscious about her appearance. "I have always been more critical of my appearance than anyone else could possibly imagine (check out the irony of having written “You’re So Vain.”), and this gave my inner critic quite a lot of new material," she said.
Despite these challenges, Simon has continued to work. She is preparing to release her first album in 18 years, titled "Comes in Waves." The album features songs and musical fragments she had worked on over the years. "Working on the music gave shape to days that did not always have much shape. It gave me somewhere to go without having to leave the room. It reminded me that illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life," she shared.
Simon expressed gratitude to her children, family, friends, caregivers, and medical professionals for their support. "These days I move more slowly, I lean on others more than I once did, and I have learned to accept that every day will look a little different. But I am still very much here," she concluded.
Simon's last public appearance was in October 2019, and her final performance was in March 2018. She was born in New York City and briefly attended Sarah Lawrence College and the Juilliard School before pursuing a full-time music career. Her debut album earned her a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1972. She has two children, Sally and Ben, with her first husband, musician James Taylor.