Carly Simon breaks silence on Parkinson’s diagnosis and new album

Carly Simon reveals her Parkinson’s diagnosis while assuring fans she is still creating music and living fully

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Carly Simon has revealed that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, sharing a heartfelt update on her health while reassuring fans that she continues to live creatively despite the challenges.

The 83-year-old music icon, best known for her 1972 hit “You’re So Vain,” announced the diagnosis in a public statement shared via People. Simon explained that she had taken time to understand her condition before speaking publicly about it.

According to Simon, her diagnosis came after increasing mobility issues following knee replacement surgeries and a hip replacement. As her symptoms worsened, she underwent an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, where doctors confirmed she had Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and has no known cure.

Simon said the condition has brought both physical and emotional challenges, including fatigue, anxiety, depression and periods of apathy. She also revealed that she was previously treated for basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, during her Parkinson’s treatment. Although the cancer was successfully removed, she admitted the surgery affected her appearance and confidence.

Despite the health setbacks, Simon stressed that she has remained focused on her passion for music. She revealed that she has completed a new album titled Comes in Waves, marking her first full-length studio release since 2008.

"I have not stopped living and I have not stopped working," Simon said, adding that creating music has helped her maintain purpose and structure while adapting to life with Parkinson’s disease.

Simon, whose last public performance was in 2018, concluded her message by saying she is still learning to live with the illness but remains optimistic and determined to keep moving forward.