Linda Ronstadt on Her Devastating Diagnosis

Linda Ronstadt opens up about her journey living with Parkinson's Disease.
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[@stepheneson4107]

It would have been instructive for AXS TV to include in the description that this interview was conducted in 2013. I love Linda Ronstadt, but this just-reposted interview misleads new viewers about her current condition today.

[@eltonjimenez1616]

Wow, thank you for the information. I was smiling and thanking God for how good she looks.

[@ADRCATS]

I wonder how she’s doing now?

[@stepheneson4107]

@@ADRCATS She’s 78 years old and a 15 year Parkinson’s patient, so I suspect we’ll never see her in public again

[@DeniseEverett-e8u]

@@ADRCATS I do too, I haven't heard or read anything about her in a long time.

[@SexySadie992]

Well said! I was wondering about that. Last time I saw her she had gray hair but always Linda! Love her so much. And thank you Stephen - that is important detail.

[@RonBaker456]

Her voice in her prime was absolutely heavenly. Love always!

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

I think Tom Wetton and Elvis Presley had better voices. Its just my opinion. She tended to over sing. And when she did "blue bayou" that really turned me off because Roy sang it so authentically. But she just belted it out and forgot what the song was about.

[@beot-kkot]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusicWHY the need to compare Linda to those two male artists, or anyone, for that matter? This person was expressing their opinion and your reply doesn’t invalidate it.

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

@@beot-kkot because she ruined blue bayou

[@beot-kkot]

@@MeadeSkeltonMusic Please… Linda is an amazing artist and human being and she’s ALIVE! This is a celebration of her life. There is no room for bitter comments like yours. Get over it! Cheers from a longtime Elvis fan. 🥂 ☮️

[@MeadeSkeltonMusic]

@@beot-kkot ok lol

[@Larry-qw3rp]

What an incredibly kind and humble woman. The voice of an angel.

[@patriciafry8634]

And smart, reflective, sense of humor

[@notthatkaren7580]

I adore this woman. She is still so beautiful. She has such soulful eyes.

[@jimmcconnell7328]

Linda is such a down to earth kind of person. So enjoyed listening to her talk about her life. She had such a beautiful voice.

[@user-dn4rx8ev3j]

I absolutely adore everything about Linda. It doesn't get anymore real than Linda, Dolly and Emmylou. I have so much respect for those beautiful wonderful people.

[@SinfulScents]

She may have no colors in her paint box but boy did she sing us a rainbow 🌈 ❤

[@fmt_Guåhan]

This is an old interview... I will always respect and love this legend of an artist! ❤

[@curtisshaw9317]

Linda never swam in her own reflection. PIPES of glory- rare combination of power and tenderness. The sorrow and joy in her singing always seemed authentic. A rare songbird...sigh.

[@MegaByrds]

11 years ago. Sweet baby with a wonderful voice. Best to her!

[@mediascribble]

If she isn't the most fun ordinary lady I don't know who is. She just happens to have been a huge sensation. She sees things ordinarily for pretty much at face value. She rolls with it. She could really sing. When her voice opened up within a song, time felt like it stopped.

[@GroovyShelly]

So heartbreaking. The most stunning voice of her generation & so much soul.

[@mattstephenson8450]

A beautiful soul … we love you Linda ❤

[@lorna8164]

One of the most beautiful voices ever...

[@6431mastermind]

Linda has a great personality. Enjoy hearing her talk.

[@Peter-nh5hv]

I met Linda briefly back around November 2019. She sat next to me in my car . I didn't know who she was , only that her name was Linda. .I thought to myself, now thats a name I haven't heard since the 1970's . I noticed her blonde young looking hair and she was shorter than me, I'm maybe 5ft 6in. She used a cane, and her left hand had a quivering motion. I wanted so to talk to her about because one of my brothers had the same. But I didn't thinking it was too personal but now I wish I had, things would be different. It wasn't until I watched the sound of my voice that made me realize in an instant who that person was. Well Linda if your reading this I wish you well and a cure .

[@deadandburied7626]

Linda is 5' 2"

[@muffinman4353]

Saw her in concert in her prime, third row from the stage.... Powerful, incredible voice.

[@Iloveanimals369]

She's very articulate. Her voice was perfection. It must be so hard to have such a gift, and then lose that gift. But she's so strong and positive.

[@70sgirl1961]

That is exactly what I thought, to be a singer and be forced to lose that ability. So sad.

[@robertjohnson1602]

It's a pleasure to watch this interview with a music legend that Linda is. I appreciate Rather's gentle yet assertive approach in speaking with not to Linda and the way the communication harmonizes and how Linda opens up. Good watch.

[@stevepetty3458]

I am no way a fan of Linda's music , never was never will be but watched this and have the utmost respect for the lady , very honest and articulate. Wishing her well with the battle she is facing

[@sueingram5157]

I have always loved Linda's music,ever since I was a kid.

[@andycross9840]

My earliest memory of Linda Ronstadt was when she was with the Stone Poneys and the brilliant song 'Different Drum'. I was and still am mesmerised by her voice in that song. The 'scream' in her vocals is something not many artists manage to nail and she did it to perfection. Bless you Linda.

[@robertfindley921]

One of the best vocalists of all time. She was amazing.

[@laurieberry4814]

My great aunt and my dad had Parkinson’s disease. I feel for Linda Ronstadt. It’s amazing how well Linda puts up with her health problems.

[@janmartell9792]

She has Supranueclear Palsy.

[@DavidSampson-tk1oz]

Linda is a very special person. I always loved her music! That picture of her in the pig pen cracks me up! What a wonderful treasure. I will always be a huge fan, not only of her music, but of her intelligence and personality. Linda, love you!

[@leslienye375]

My favorite female singer…..absolutely stunning in every way. Her voice and music are timeless!🎶♥️🎶🌹

[@hermanmunster714]

This is Master Class. Love ❤ Miss Linda ❤ and Love Dan. Blessings to both 🐐🐐

[@lisavizzini9609]

There is just something so precious and unique about Linda and I'm not talking about her music...

[@suejaneuk1681]

I love Linda so much. You are a wonderful person and your music is timeless.

[@dscarty]

Linda has always been incredible!

[@danielpowell5661]

Voice from heaven……

[@godzillamanstreb524]

I played Linda’s album an until they were worn down …..absolutely loved them….thank you 🌸🌸🌸♥️

[@Papin47]

The Great Linda Ronstadt, still rockin' to your fabulous music. Thank you for the timeless soundtrack you have gifted to us.💙

[@amherst88]

She was/is one-of-a-kind and my #1 role model growing up -- grace, courage, and a soul and voice like no other -- her autobiography *Simple* *Dreams* is a great read if you are an admirer ❤

[@vickiebonyt]

Love her! ❤ Always have. Wishing her the best. ❤❤

[@MegaAtomium]

Legend of legends. I got to see her live a dozen times, and got to meet her a couple of times. She is my all-time- favorite.

[@kathleenhickshopkins2401]

She loves words. So do I. I totally relate.

[@debszakormos7919]

Her voice, a pristine smooth flawless 'sheet of glass' lake♡. Her Blue Bayou 🫶🏽 still can make me weep. 😌🐦🇨🇦

[@PianoMatronNeeNee]

She’s still amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@samhernandez7868]

Linda Ronstadt, My name is Sam and I and our people have enjoyed your music for decades. You are now recognized and should have been decades ago! a true icon and music, but it was your heart and your soul and the gift from the great creator that has blessed all of us I wish you well I wish you a speedy And full recovery. I love you, the world loves you.

[@TheMacGuyChannel]

Yes, Linda, we do❤

[@judit1783]

Linda Ronstadt and Kevin Kline in The Pirates Of Penzance on NYC stage was like thunder, it blew me away back in the day!

[@crabstick250]

She is so awesome, such talent. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is awful, awful disease. My dad passed from it. I know what she will be going thru, this is an older vid. Its not Parkinson's. I just love her, I wish her peace and shortened suffering.

[@barbararussell9757]

Yes. This is confusing. I listened to this video because I have PSP and wanted to hear what she has to say about the symptoms. My neurologist was very clear to say that it's under the umbrella of Parkinsonism but it's not Parkinson's Disease. I was misdiagnosed at first with Parkinson's but after 6 months or so my doctor came to the conclusion that I really have PSP. Why is this video not making the distinction?

[@2BESTdogBLUE]

​@@barbararussell9757 Because this is a 2014 video @ the time she hadn't been given PSP diagnosis.....

[@barbararussell9757]

@@2BESTdogBLUE Thanks. I did not realize that.

[@annw-fitz4412]

Just saw an interview on CBS good morning show from two years ago. It’s currently January 2025. But she says she can no longer even here the high notes she sang when listening to a recording. They said the type of disease it was it was a brain condition but they did not mention Parkinson’s, so it could be some thing that came from the Parkinson’s? Anyway, her speech is much slower now. A beautiful person, her voice lives on in her recordings. I have her heart like a wheel album.

[@Abby_Shawn_KE]

Now I'm 80 years olf but i used to listen her song those days i was a kid🇰🇪

[@sandramorey2529]

She was a wonderful singer. Her Spanish language show "Consiones de mi Padre was fabulous. Also, Dolly, Emmy Lou & Linda was full of gorgeous traditional music & terrific 3 part harmony.

[@PSchmidtc]

Linda Ronstadt is Music ROYALTY

[@EthanW-mf1gv]

Her pipes were powerful enough to easily stand with blazing rock guitars, loud Mariachi players and large orchestras. Her pipes were also tender enough to soften tough guys hearts. Linda seemed much more down to earth than the BS floating around her very Cool 70s scene. She took that remarkable voice elsewhere in the 80s - who could blame her?Always an interesting free spirit. Love her still.

[@KathleenMcclain-f8z]

I saw her in an interview a couple of years ago and she was much weaker. Her voice was very faint, not the same at all. It made me sad. I am a fan and always will be.

[@deadandburied7626]

Elderly lady now, 78 years old.

[@maha77]

One of the best voices of the past century

[@maurahobart8414]

Regardless of the date, this is classic Linda, intellectually articulate, beautiful and so much missed. Dan Rather didn’t quite know what to make of her!!

[@SimoneNC]

Her skin is so beautiful

[@mink2166]

I have loved this woman for 40 years ❤️ thankyou Linda for the gift of you.

[@jillybear6007]

Ms. Ronstadt has always been one of my very favorite vocalists of all time. I wondered when she said that she has a lot of trouble with her memory whether it has ever been correlated to the medical fact that Lewy bodies dementia has been very much linked to Parkinson's disease. My Mom suffered from LB dementia for 5-1/2 years before she passed away, but she did not have Parkinson's disease, which was unusual, but she was definitively diagnosed with LB dementia by the neurologist and a team of dementia specialists through SIU Medical School. My Mom also had one of the best memories I've ever seen in any human being, male or female, and the memory was one of the very first telltale signs of her LB dementia. For example, she was previously a long-term bank employee, then as the LBD began to reveal itself, she had always been obsessed with balancing her checkbook every single month without fail and as the LBD began to show its ugly head, we found out from a current bank employee that she had been calling the bank multiple times a day to check on her checking account balance - which was 100% unheard of before LBD. As someone who has worked in healthcare for decades, when LBD was first mentioned as a possibility for her and the testing began, I dug deep into this diagnosis and studied it very thoroughly - I did also learn that LBD can be "activated" with extreme physical trauma or long protracted anesthesia during surgery. My Mom had recently shattered her hip into several pieces, both small and large, then underwent a complete total hip replacement that was extended anesthesia for 5-1/2 hours due to the complexity of the hip shattering - we (family and medical team both) feel that this is what must have begun the LBD. My Mom not only was in tip top shape mentally before fracturing her hip, but she was also in fantastic physical health and literally walked every single day for 3-5 miles, rain or shine. Sorry for being so long-winded, but just was questioning the memory loss/Parkinson's diagnosis linked to also developing LBD in Ms. Ronstadt, but also, if anyone reads this who has been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's, I think it's critically important to discuss with their healthcare professionals about this particular type of dementia that has very close ties to Parkinson's disease as well. Thanks for reading what is most likely the most boring comment and too long-winded comment ever made. LOL!

[@beot-kkot]

Sorry for your loss. 🙏🏻 My mom suffered from dementia with Lewy bodies, but not Parkinson’s. As you know, “LBD causes some or all of the motor SYMPTOMS of Parkinson's.” Both diseases are devastating for the patient and their family alike. My mom passed away two years ago, ironically, from complications during a hip replacement surgery, not from the disease itself (she had been diagnosed two years prior). 😢 I don’t know what caused her LBD, but she had fallen and broken her back. From there, things went downhill. She didn’t have back surgery, though, so it was not due to anesthesia. While it is possible that it followed the trauma, she started to show signs before that.

[@jimmcconnell7328]

@@jillybear6007 Linda Ronstadt has something called progressive supranuclear palsy. It’s a rare brain disease with vision,speech,swallowing and of course memory problems. In this way it’s worse than Parkinson’s.

[@cathysnedegar6711]

​@@jimmcconnell7328It was diagnosed as Parkinsons at first, then later revised.

[@judithgange7750]

thank you for the update on this

[@anncarper8163]

Got to see her in concert once way back in the day. What a great talent!!

[@ildiphoenix]

I love Linda Ronstand , I live in Japan till today I was born in Brazil Hungarian parents and use to be a singer many of her songs I like “It’s so easy to fall in Love” ,I am her number one fan ! I wish I could meet her in person ,actually she came to Japan with Nelson Riddle orquestra and I watched on tv that time ,Love you Linda thank you for your amazing voice and talent ❤🙏

[@deborahlarson2650]

I am so sorry to hear this 😐

[@joycewright5386]

I remember seeing her in concert in the 70s. Loved her voice.

[@rosanneshinkle4133]

I always loved her voice

[@Lonniepsangel]

I love Linda so much! Absolutely no woman as wonderful as her! I miss the music we could have heard! 💙💙💙

[@rosaarroyo613]

Such a beautiful woman, thank you for all your sharing your good years giving to us all! I admire your background on representation for the Hispanic side , which I think you could have made it huge but respectful of you switching gears to English singing. You have a beautiful voice even as you speak. You still look great and speak gracefully. Wish you luck and the best to care for yourself!! I admire you for sharing this news on your diagnosis, ✌️🙏and take care!❤️

[@tomaszg.8167]

Great personality, strong and down to earth. Real lady.

[@maureendrozda9960]

THANK YOU, LINDA, FOR ALL YOUR AMAZING MUSIC💗

[@RonaldCallarman]

She is so amazing when I was a kid I watched her on a TV special, I still remember she sounded like an angel looked like the prettiest lady ever I have loved her ever since. So wonderful may God bless

[@plumber8920]

She is a Angel❤

[@anothergoldilocks1077]

She probably is a nice enough person but no one on this earth is an Angel… 😳

[@sueingram5157]

100 % ❤

[@lisag4123]

Actually, earth angels are a real thing!

[@user-wb2yv7ll9d]

Her diagnosis was later updated to progressive supranuclear palsy. She is one of the GOAT. 🐐❤

[@jackiemorrison2661]

I would have loved her to do a duet with Steve Perry... the 2 goats ... now THAT would have been spectacular

[@user-wb2yv7ll9d]

@@jackiemorrison2661 Oh wow...totally agree.

[@trailrider7046]

Do you mean she never had Parkinson's?

[@user-wb2yv7ll9d]

@@trailrider7046 That's right. The Parkinson's was a misdiagnosis.

[@philipedwards8762]

My father passed from progressive supranuclear palsy in 2012. Prayers for her.

[@RhondaWalker-d8f]

There’s not a more beautiful voice as hers was in times past

[@sweethaven5]

Loved her in Pirates of Penzance ❤❤

[@sc5216]

Parkinsons is associated with low levels of dopamine. That can be mitigated with guided meditations specifically for raising dopamine. I hope she sees this. She's my favorite.

[@gavinfoster9118]

Pure class!

[@SinfulScents]

My all time fav song of hers is “ long, long time” no one has a voice like her❤

[@terrimathews4708]

Love you Linda. Praying for you 🙏

[@julietrask7497]

Love her so much.❤

[@slicktheslickster]

She's really smart to boot...wow.

[@Mike-vj2lc]

I love this woman. Amazing life!…bad ass girl!

[@teresajohnson8988]

She is such a wholesome fun person!!!

[@EmeraldWoodArchives]

I will love you forever, Linda.

[@chuckb61]

Amazing wonderful conversation! Thanks.

[@rannerobin2787]

One of the best!!

[@Firebrandrock]

Epic singer…..top five rock….

[@christinestratton8801]

I really thought this was a RECENT interview...it gets annoying when the program has a date of " 2 weeks ago" . I always loved her voice and wonder how she is doing TODAY. God Bless her.❤

[@FollowEman]

So sincere!❤❤❤

[@edcancade9025]

Best interview ever

[@conniewolf7300]

Bless her heart!

[@jude1515]

Good interview.

[@BBBB-uz2ve]

Linda your beautiful!!

[@GailHarris-p1f]

I have physical issues I have to accept. Glad to be alive now

[@JD-tn5tb]

this is an old interview. I wish they would put the date of the interview.

[@nurseattle]

I looked it up in Google. It was 2013.

[@judithgange7750]

​@@nurseattlewow. Eleven years ago. Difficult to read. ❤

[@BGage11]

An awesome, talented musician!

[@joypittman9682]

Saw her performance in DC, Pirates of Pansenze- operetta like .. so beautiful

[@SusanHolbrook-z4k]

I have Parkinsons too and I can identify with what she is saying. I'm not a singer..but be so hard to have quit it.

[@PRESTO5796]

Apologies but she was misdiagnosed. Ronstadt was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2012. Her condition was rediagnosed in 2019 as also having progressive supranuclear palsy, an incurable degenerative disease. Under either name, her singing career came to an abrupt end and her life was profoundly changed. I will always love LINDA! Sorry you have Parkinson’s 😢 BLESSINGS TO YOU♥️🙏🏾

[@libertyann439]

I love singing. I'm not famous, but I'm not too bad. It would break my heart to not sing.

[@raymondmarotta1790]

My college girl friends name in 1975 name was Linda. I always told her she was my second favorite Linda

[@coastalseasider4634]

Dear Linda helped others get started although she's too modest to even say so. The Eagles, for example, thanked her for her support 'back in the day'. Yes, this is an older interview & should've been disclosed as such. It does show however what a decent, lovely person she is. What an amazing attitude she has.🫶

[@rifroar]

The Female Elvis Vocally, a Real Living Legend and a Great Gal. Love You Linda"

[@anthonyrussomanno1540]

Smart classy and beautiful

[@davidrenz5886]

Nice lady🙂...

[@ranellemeroney7938]

“In 2013, after years of struggling with her vocals, Ronstadt was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. However, she later learned that she actually had a Parkinson’s-like disorder called progressive supranuclear palsy.”

[@trailrider7046]

Thanks for the clarity.

[@SuppressiveSquirrel]

She has PSP which is a form of Parkinson’s.

[@barbararussell9757]

@@SuppressiveSquirrel PSP is not a form of Parkinson's. It is a different disease that is under the umbrella of Parkinsonism. Parkinson's is one disease under that umbrella but it is different than PSP. The other diseases are Multiple System Atrophy, Corticobasal Degeneration, and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

[@iwnunn7999]

I'm taken by how bright she is

[@StopCensoring-fq5fl]

We all are going to experience a life changing diagnosis if we live long enough! Will everyone announce it on social media 😮

[@evanlouis3336]

Best Live pipes in the world. Rockin' or crooning. Deep musical chops. No wonder all the best players swarmed around her. A real life doll - to gaze upon and to hear. Sigh...

[@SuppressiveSquirrel]

Best live pipes was Karen Carpenter. Ronstadt was good. Carpenter was one of all time greats.

[@skyewilliams2247]

​@@SuppressiveSquirrelYuck. Carpenter was a grotesque sour square who sang cornball tunes with her creepy brother. Rarely sang live. Ronstadt was in another universe. Why mention the sour limited Carpenter on a Linda post. Do your homework they have Nothing in common.

[@SuppressiveSquirrel]

@@skyewilliams2247 Yeah sure, and that's why BOTH Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich each said that the ONLY female artist they'd pay to go see was Ms. Karen Carpenter . Even Linda Ronstadt would agree. As to Linda being a real life doll, have you seen her in the past twenty years?? Oh, and how good a drummer was Karen as well? Ronstadt couldn't even play an instrument.

[@skyewilliams2247]

@@SuppressiveSquirrel With all due respect to the great Sinatra and Rich - both of whom I have seen twds the end of their careers - they were hostile to the rock scene. The Carpenters were schlocky and non-threatening to them. The Carpenters seem to have come out of some right wing religious compound. Just dreadful. However, to each their own. Sorry for being so hard on you and them but she was a drip and so was their act. ✌

[@SuppressiveSquirrel]

@@skyewilliams2247 you may not like their sappy songs, but her voice was pure velvet. Not only that, she was a great drummer. Ronstadt never wrote a song, didn’t play an instrument , didn’t read music and only sang. Carpenter did it all. Apples and Oranges.

[@joanneganon7157]

Very sorry❤ JO JO IN VT 💞