Famous Figures Living with Parkinson's Disease Like Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt's Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

Linda Ronstadt, the beloved Grammy award-winning singer behind hits like "Blue Bayou," "You're No Good," and "When Will I Be Loved," revealed in 2013 that she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The debilitating neurological disorder left her unable to sing and ended her storied career spanning over four decades.

How Ronstadt's Parkinson's Progressed Over the Years

In a 2021 interview, Ronstadt provided an update on her condition, saying "I have Parkinson's disease. I don't have the use of my hands like I used to. I don't have the use of my voice in the same way. Singing really requires a certain kind of physical stamina that I don't have." Over the years, fans have continued wondering - did Linda Ronstadt pass away from Parkinson's disease? As of 2024, Linda Ronstadt is still alive at 77 years old, though her singing days remain behind her.

Ronstadt Stays Positive Despite Parkinson's Challenge

While Ronstadt may never take the stage again, she has worked to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity. “You have to find a way to live with it,” she said in 2021. “You have to find the parts that aren’t so bad.” Though the disease has taken away certain abilities, Ronstadt focuses on what she can do, like continuing her passion as an advocate for music and arts education.

15 Other Famous Faces of Parkinson's Disease

Like Ronstadt, many famous people have faced Parkinson's disease diagnosis over the years. Though their experiences vary, these household names serve as inspiration for staying resilient.

Michael J. Fox

In 1991 at just 29 years old, actor Michael J. Fox received news that he had early onset Parkinson’s Disease. He continued acting for nearly 10 more years following his diagnosis, starring in popular TV and film projects before retiring in 2020. All the while, Fox has worked tirelessly as a Parkinson’s advocate. His Michael J. Fox Foundation has funded over $1 billion globally in Parkinson’s research.

Billy Connolly

Revered Scottish comedian Billy Connolly announced in 2013 that he’d been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer. Despite initial fears that it would end his 50-year comedy career, Connolly continued performing live for years after, ultimately retiring from stand-up comedy in 2018.

Bob Hoskins

In 2012, British actor Bob Hoskins revealed he’d been diagnosed with Parkinson’s several years prior. With acting roles spanning decades in hits like “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and “Hook,” Hoskins continued working until retiring in 2012. He passed away two years later at age 71 from pneumonia.

Alan Alda

Award-winning actor Alan Alda of “M.A.S.H” fame publicly shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018 on “CBS This Morning.” Now in his 80s, Alda has continued acting while promoting the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University to help foster public understanding of complex topics.

Neil Diamond

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018 at 76 years old, prolific singer Neil Diamond decided to retire from touring. “It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring,” Diamond announced. Despite no longer performing live, Diamond vowed to continue writing and recording songs.

Ozzy Osbourne

In 2019, rock star Ozzy Osbourne revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis after suffering serious health problems from infections and injuries in recent years. While the disease has been difficult, wife Sharon Osbourne says staying active helps Ozzy manage symptoms, along with medical marijuana use approved by his doctors.

Lucky Diamond Richardson

Groundbreaking transgender rights activist Lucky Diamond Richardson passed away in 2020 at age 55 following an extended Parkinson’s disease battle. After her diagnosis, Richardson worked to raise awareness and donated her brain to science in hopes of helping research efforts.

B.J. Ward

Veteran voice actress B.J. Ward, known for roles in hit animated series like “The Jetsons,” opened up prior to her passing about living with young-onset Parkinson’s. While the disease terminated Ward’s voice acting career in her 60s, she became an advocate in Parkinson’s spaces before passing away in 2020.

Paul Newman

Screen legend Paul Newman, renowned Oscar-winning actor and Indy race car driver, struggled privately with symptoms before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his 80s. Newman passed away from cancer unrelated to Parkinson’s in 2008 at age 83 while continuing work for philanthropic endeavors.

Salvador Dalí

Eccentric surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, known for melting clocks and lobster telephones, began experiencing damage from Parkinson’s as early as the 1960s. As symptoms worsened later in life, his art radically transformed before eventually forcing him to quit painting entirely in his 70s about a decade prior to his 1989 death.

Maurice White

Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire’s legendary lead singer, worked to hide his Parkinson’s diagnosis for years before revealing it in 2000 at 58 years old. His public struggle raised awareness, but despite retiring from the group, White continued writing and planning future albums prior to his passing in 2016 at age 74.

The Outlook for Parkinson's Disease

Medical researchers remain hard at work uncovering new treatments to slow Parkinson’s disease progression and identifying potential cures down the line. Until then, physical activity, medication, deep brain stimulation and lifestyle adaptations help many live years with Parkinson’s after being diagnosed. Famous figures like Linda Ronstadt and Michael J. Fox continue demonstrating resilience in the face of difficulty while contributing however they can.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.