Carly Simon Shares the Health Battle Behind Her Years Away

Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon has revealed that she has been living with Parkinson’s disease, explaining the reason for her extended absence from the public eye. The 83-year-old also disclosed that she underwent surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, while managing her neurological condition.

In a heartfelt statement, Simon said she decided to speak publicly after years of receiving messages from fans wondering how she was doing.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Simon explained that her health journey began with severe arthritis, which led to three joint replacement surgeries involving both knees and one hip. At first, she believed her ongoing mobility issues were simply part of the recovery process.

However, as her ability to walk continued to decline, doctors conducted further evaluations. Following testing at the Mayo Clinic, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can also impact mood, energy, and cognition.

Living With Parkinson’s

The Grammy winner said the disease has brought unpredictable challenges, with some days leaving her exhausted and others allowing her to continue writing and creating music.

She also described one of the lesser-known symptoms of Parkinson’s: apathy, explaining that it can feel as though the brain temporarily loses the motivation to engage in everyday life. Medical experts note that Parkinson’s can affect both motor symptoms, such as stiffness and balance, and non-motor symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety, depression, and changes in motivation.

Skin Cancer Surgery Added Another Challenge

During the same period, Simon underwent surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma from her face. She said the procedure was successful, but it left her feeling self-conscious about her appearance, contributing to her decision to step away from public life.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and is typically highly treatable when detected early, though it often requires surgical removal.

Music Became Her Strength Again

Despite her health struggles, Simon said she never stopped creating. She revealed that she spent the past several years recording Comes in Waves, her first album of original material since 2008.

The new record, scheduled for release on Aug. 14, brings together songs and ideas she had been collecting for years. Simon said working on the project gave structure and purpose to difficult days and reminded her that illness does not have to define her entire life.

A Legacy That Continues

Simon first rose to international fame in the early 1970s with classics including “You’re So Vain” and later earned acclaim for “Nobody Does It Better,” the iconic theme from the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and remains one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of her generation.