An Emotional Journey: Linda Ronstadt Shares Her Battle With Parkinson's
In a heartfelt and candid conversation on CBS Sunday Morning, airing February 3, legendary singer Linda Ronstadt reflects on her life since the challenges began affecting her voice in 2000. Nine years later, she realized she was "yelling rather than singing" during performances, leading her to retire from music. Around this time, she received the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, a condition that has profoundly impacted her life ever since.
Speaking with correspondent Tracy Smith, the 72-year-old candidly describes the adjustments she's had to make. "When you've spent your entire life doing things like putting on your shoes or brushing your teeth without a second thought," she explains, "it's a shock when you suddenly can't do those things anymore. You're left asking, 'What's happening here?' It took me some time to learn how to ask for help, but now I do because I need it." Her words reveal both vulnerability and resilience, painting a picture of life after a career-defining era.
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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Understanding the Diagnosis: Linda Ronstadt's Journey With Parkinson's
Prior to her diagnosis, Linda expressed her confusion to AARP The Magazine: "I didn’t know why I couldn’t sing— all I knew was that it felt muscular or mechanical." Once she learned she had Parkinson’s, things started to make sense. "When I got the diagnosis, it was like a lightbulb went off," she recalls. "I finally understood that no one can sing with Parkinson’s disease. It doesn’t matter how hard you try. In my case, I can’t sing a note." Her journey has been one of acceptance and adjustment, showing incredible strength in the face of adversity.
Born on July 15, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona, Linda Ronstadt carved an extraordinary path in the music industry. Known as the Queen of Rock/Pop during the '70s and '80s, she continued to dominate well into the '90s. Her versatility was unmatched, spanning genres from rock and country to light opera and Latin music. Along the way, she earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, and an ALMA Award. She also received nominations for both a Tony Award and a Golden Globe Award. Additionally, she was awarded the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, cementing her status as a music icon.
