Songwriter Carly Simon Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis

In a candid statement to the BBC, 83‑year‑old Carly Simon confirmed she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She described the condition as unpredictable and frightening but emphasized that she remains active in life and in music.

“Some days I’m so tired I can’t get my day moving at all,” Simon says. “On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work and feel like myself. I have not stopped living, and I have not stopped working.”

Simon recently underwent surgery to remove a cancerous growth on her face, which left her more self‑conscious about being seen in public. She reflected on her long‑standing self‑critical nature and the irony of writing her famous song “You’re So Vain.”

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder affecting the brain, nervous system and muscle control. It is the fastest‑growing neurological condition in the world, with around 153,000 people in the UK living with the disease.

Simon’s diagnosis followed earlier health challenges, including arthritis in both knees and one hip, and repeated replacement surgeries. After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, she received her Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Even with the disease, she continues to write, sing, imagine, laugh and “get trapped in an over‑stuffed chair.” In her own words, “but I am still very much here.”

The 83‑year‑old has also announced a new album, ‘Comes In Waves,’ set to release in August 2026. Its first single, “Howl,” released last month, offers a consoling tone for a friend recovering from a break‑up.

Simon said she decided to share her diagnosis after receiving letters from fans eager to know her health and current activities. Her music continues to chart a path of love, memory, family, self‑reckoning and forgiveness, reflecting the complexities of everyday life.