Neil Diamond: Finding Peace After the Storm
Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, known for unforgettable classics like Sweet Caroline, Cracklin’ Rosie, and America, has experienced a life that many would envy on the surface. But behind the stage lights and roaring crowds was a man who, at one point, felt like he lost everything.
In 2018, the music world was shaken when Diamond announced his retirement from live touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder. For an artist who had spent over five decades performing, it was more than a career pause — it was a life-altering storm.
In candid interviews, Diamond revealed the emotional toll that came with stepping away from the stage. He struggled with identity, worth, and the feeling of being lost. “I felt like I had been stripped of the thing that defined me,” he once shared.
But amidst the darkness, something unexpected happened: he found peace.
With the unwavering support of his third wife Katie McNeil — a producer nearly three decades younger — Diamond began to embrace a new chapter. He settled into a quieter life at his home in Colorado, focusing on songwriting, reflection, and spending time in nature. In a 2022 interview, he said, “I’m not the man I was on stage. But I’m more myself now than I ever was.”
No longer chasing applause, Neil Diamond now walks through life with a quiet strength — a reminder that even after the storm, peace can be the most beautiful encore.