The story

Carly Simon announced on July 27 that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and was treated for basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, on her face. The 83-year-old singer, known for hits including "You're So Vain" and "Nobody Does It Better," said in a statement that she had taken time to understand the Parkinson's diagnosis and adjust to it before deciding how much to say publicly. She explained that the disease began with arthritis in both knees and one hip, which led to three joint replacement surgeries, but her mobility continued to worsen.

After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, Simon was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and began treatment with medication to help manage stiffness and other symptoms. She described the disease as unpredictable, saying some days she is so tired she can't get the day moving at all, while on others it gives her more room to move, think, work and feel like herself. Simon also said Parkinson's can bring anxiety, depression, exhaustion and apathy, describing the apathy as particularly strange and one of the hardest things to explain.

Simon said the surgery to remove the skin cancer affected her appearance and made her more self-conscious about being seen in public. Despite her health challenges, she is preparing to release "Comes in Waves," her first full-length album since 2008. Her last public performance was in 2019 at the 31st Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert & Gala at Carnegie Hall.