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- Megan Sims, cleveland.com
Music icon Carly Simon announced Monday that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and recently underwent surgery to remove skin cancer from her face, breaking years of public silence about the health struggles that led to her withdrawal from the spotlight, PEOPLE reports
The 83-year-old singer-songwriter shared the news in a statement, explaining that she has spent recent years learning to manage the progressive nervous system disorder while also undergoing surgery for basal cell carcinoma. The combination of health challenges prompted her to step away from public life, though she has continued writing and recording music throughout this period
Simon said her symptoms began with severe arthritis in her hip and both knees. After undergoing three joint replacement surgeries, her mobility continued to decline, eventually leading her to seek an evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, where she received her Parkinson’s diagnosis
Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that affects movement and worsens over time, according to the Mayo Clinic. Though there is no cure to the disease, symptoms can be treated with medication and in some cases, surgery
The Grammy-winning artist described the unpredictable nature of Pakinson’s, which has brought not only the tremors and balance issues commonly associated with Parkinson’s, but also bouts of anxiety, exhaustion and apathy. She characterized the feeling of apathy as though the part of the brain that encourages participation in life “has temporarily misplaced the guest list.”
The facial surgery to remove the cancer also played a significant role in her decision to retreat from public view. Simon said the procedure affected her appearance and made her more self-conscious about being seen. Combined with her mobility challenges and the emotional weight of her diagnoses, she said she chose to hibernate like an “all-season bear.”
Despite these obstacles, Simon has completed her first full-length album of original material since 2008. “Comes in Waves” is scheduled for release on Aug. 14. She credited the recording process with helping her navigate her illness, saying that working on music gave shape to her days and reminded her that “illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life.”
The Martha’s Vineyard resident last performed publicly in 2018 at Carnegie Hall, PEOPLE noted. She was absent from her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022, which occurred shortly after her sisters, Joanna and Lucy, died of cancer a day apart. Simon is also a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in 1997
The Manhattan native won a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1971 and achieved international fame with hits including “You’re So Vain” and “Nobody Does It Better.”
In her statement, Simon expressed gratitude for her children, Sally and Ben, and her medical caregivers, noting that while she moves more slowly and leans on others more than before, she has not stopped living
This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff
