Carly Simon Shares Parkinson's and Cancer Diagnoses

Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon has disclosed the reasons behind her extended absence from public life, announcing she has been diagnosed with both Parkinson's disease and cancer. The 83-year-old artist shared the news in a detailed statement on Monday, July 27.

"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," Simon wrote in a statement shared by People.

The diagnosis required significant adjustment, Simon explained, noting the time needed to comprehend the condition and determine how much to disclose publicly. The disease manifests differently each day, creating an unpredictable pattern that affects her ability to function.

"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," she stated in the announcement.

Simon's health challenges began with severe arthritis affecting both knees and one hip, ultimately requiring replacement surgery for all three joints. Despite these procedures, her mobility continued to deteriorate, prompting further medical investigation.

"I had trouble standing up from low chairs and deep couches without someone offering me an arm. Overstuffed furniture became my enemy. Once seated, I could feel as though I had been swallowed by the chair and might remain there permanently, like a guest who had badly overstayed her welcome," she described.

Following comprehensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, physicians confirmed the Parkinson's diagnosis. Simon began medication to address stiffness and other symptoms, though she emphasized the condition does not follow a predictable schedule.

The disease extends beyond physical symptoms, Simon revealed, bringing anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and a particularly challenging apathy. She described this mental state as lying motionless while the brain fails to send signals encouraging participation in daily activities.

"That has been one of the hardest things to explain. 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," Simon wrote.

Compounding her Parkinson's treatment, Simon faced an additional diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma on her face. The cancer was successfully removed, but the surgical procedure altered her appearance and intensified her self-consciousness about public appearances.

"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 noted.

The combination of mobility limitations, the Parkinson's diagnosis, surgery, and emotional toll led Simon to withdraw from public view. She characterized herself as having become an all-season hibernator, though she stressed she has continued both living and working.

During this challenging period, Simon found herself drawn back to music, recording a new album titled Comes in Waves. The project represents her first original full-length album since 2008, featuring songs and fragments she had set aside over the years.

"In the middle of all this, I began recording a new album, Comes in Waves. That still feels mysterious to me. Music has always known when to arrive. It has rescued me more times [than] I can count," Simon explained.

The creative process provided structure during formless days and reminded her that illness need not consume one's entire existence. Working on music gave her purpose without requiring her to leave her immediate surroundings.

Simon addressed her relationship with the disease directly, refusing to romanticize her condition. She described Parkinson's as difficult, frustrating, and sometimes frightening, acknowledging she continues learning to accept it without surrendering essential parts of herself.

"I am still writing, singing, imagining, laughing, worrying, remembering, and occasionally getting trapped in an overstuffed chair," she stated.

The artist expressed profound gratitude to her children, family, friends, caregivers, and medical professionals for their support during this journey. Simon shares two children with first husband James Taylor.

"I am deeply grateful to my children, my family, my friends, my caregivers, and the medical professionals who have helped me through this. Their love and patience have carried me through days when my own reserves were not enough," she added.

Simon concluded her statement by explaining her decision to share this information publicly, responding to the genuine concern expressed by many who have reached out. While she now moves more slowly and relies more heavily on others, she emphasized her continued presence and engagement with life, even as each day presents different challenges.