Carly Simon, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for hits like "You're So Vain," has revealed she has Parkinson's disease and previously underwent surgery for basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. These health challenges, along with joint replacements, contributed to her recent withdrawal from public life, she stated.
In a statement to People magazine on July 27, the 83-year-old artist explained that it took time to process her diagnoses and decide how much to share publicly. Simon described Parkinson's as a condition that varies greatly among individuals, noting its unpredictable nature. "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," she said.
Her mobility issues began with arthritis in her knees and hip, leading to three joint replacement surgeries. However, her walking difficulties persisted, making it hard to stand from low chairs and couches, and at times requiring considerable assistance. "Overstuffed furniture became my enemy," Simon recalled.
A comprehensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic led to her Parkinson's diagnosis. She has since begun treatment to manage symptoms like stiffness. Simon highlighted that Parkinson's affects more than just movement, potentially causing anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and apathy. She described apathy as a state where the brain's drive to engage in activities seems temporarily absent.
During this period, Simon was also treated for basal cell carcinoma on her face. Although the skin cancer was removed, the surgery left her self-conscious about her appearance, further contributing to her desire to withdraw from public view. "Between my mobility issues, the Parkinson's diagnosis, the surgery and the emotional effects of it all, withdrawing from public view was the most palatable reaction," she stated.
Despite these challenges, Simon emphasized that she has continued to live and work, recently completing a new album titled "Comes in Waves." She noted that music has been a significant source of rescue and has provided structure to her days, reminding her that illness does not have to define one's entire life.
Simon stated that she does not view Parkinson's as a gift or blessing, acknowledging its difficulty, frustration, and frightening aspects. She is still adapting to living with the condition and accepting it without feeling a loss of her essential self. She continues to write, sing, imagine, laugh, worry, and remember, though she sometimes finds herself physically hindered.
She expressed deep gratitude to her children, family, friends, caregivers, and medical professionals for their support. Simon decided to share her story in response to the many expressions of genuine concern she received, though she often struggled to know how to reply.
"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," Simon concluded.
"Comes in Waves" is Simon's first full-length album since 2008. Her last public appearance was in 2019, promoting her memoir, "Touched by the Sun: My Friendship with Jackie." Her final public performance was in March 2018.
Simon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022 but did not attend the ceremony, which occurred weeks after the deaths of her sisters, Joanna and Lucy Simon, from cancer. Simon herself survived breast cancer diagnosed in 1997.
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder affecting movement, with symptoms including tremors, balance problems, stiffness, and slowed movement. While there is no cure, medications and sometimes surgery can help manage symptoms. Michael J. Fox, diagnosed in 1991, is a prominent figure in raising awareness and research through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.