Carly Simon Announces Parkinson’s Diagnosis and New Album Release
The celebrated 83‑year‑old singer‑songwriter has publicly confirmed that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects the brain and nervous system. In a statement shared with BBC, she described the disease as “sometimes frightening” and “unpredictable,” detailing days when fatigue immobilises her versus days when she can “move, think, work, and feel like myself.”
Simon added that she has also undergone a recent surgery to remove a cancerous growth on her face, a procedure that has left her feeling self‑conscious in public and further complicated her inner critic’s narrative – a theme she famously explored in her classic track “You’re So Vain.”
While Parkinson’s brings episodes of anxiety, depression, and profound apathy that she likened to a “starfish drying in the sun,” she insists she has not ceased to live fully. “I am still writing, singing, imagining, laughing, worrying, remembering,” she said, as she relied increasingly on caregivers and loved ones to navigate the daily fluctuations.
New Album Due in August 2026
Despite her health challenges, Simon recounted that she chose to share her diagnosis after receiving many letters from fans wondering why she had been quiet. On the same occasion she announced her forthcoming album, “Comes In Waves,” slated for release in August 2026. The lead single, “Howl,” was already issued last month and showcases her comforting voice for a friend recently heart‑broken.
The album promises to revisit familiar themes such as love, memory, and forgiveness while also allowing space for contradiction, ambiguity, and emotional evolution – a reflection, she hinted, of how the disease itself changes day by day.
Simon’s announcement highlighted the broader context of Parkinson’s: it is the fastest growing neurological condition worldwide, with about 153,000 UK residents living with the disease. Her openness is a call for awareness and support for those affected, while her continued creative output remains an inspiration to fans globally.
