Neil Diamond Finally Finds Peace Living with Parkinson’s – After Years of Denial and Silence
For decades, Neil Diamond was a symbol of confidence, showmanship, and that unmistakable raspy voice belting out Sweet Caroline. But behind the bright stage lights and glittering shirts, something much heavier was growing inside him — a quiet struggle with Parkinson’s disease, and the emotional denial that followed his 2018 diagnosis.
In a deeply moving interview with CBS’s Sunday Morning, Diamond finally opened up about what it’s taken to accept the truth — and how that acceptance has brought him unexpected peace.
“In a sense, I was in denial,” Diamond admits. “But now I’ve come to accept what limitations I have and still find joy.”
From Spotlight to Solitude
Diagnosed in 2018, Diamond abruptly retired from touring, canceling the rest of his 50th Anniversary Tour. At the time, fans were heartbroken — but few realized how deeply the news affected the singer himself.
“It’s like a sort of calm has moved in,” he says. “And the hurricane of emotions is no longer spinning out of control.”
While he no longer performs full concerts, Diamond continues to write music — and occasionally sings live in surprise appearances. In 2022, he stunned a Broadway audience at the opening of A Beautiful Noise, the jukebox musical based on his life and career, by singing Sweet Caroline alongside the cast. The crowd exploded in emotion — and so did Diamond.
“That moment gave me a new sense of purpose,” he said. “Even if I can’t do what I used to, I’m still me.”
The Hidden Grief Behind the Music
One of the hardest parts of the disease wasn’t physical — it was internal. Diamond said he struggled for years to admit he had Parkinson’s, fearing what it would mean for his legacy, his family, and himself.
He speaks openly now about the grieving process: “It was like losing a part of myself — the man who could move, command a stage, and feel invincible.”
But instead of letting it define him, Diamond has reframed his illness as a new phase of growth.
“The truth makes everything simpler. I’m no longer pretending. And that’s a strange relief.”
Still the One They Love
Fans around the world have rallied behind Diamond, sharing stories of how his music carried them through heartbreak, celebration, and growing up. His honesty has only deepened their admiration.
And now, with A Beautiful Noise continuing its successful Broadway run, and his legacy celebrated in new ways, Neil Diamond is showing that resilience doesn’t always wear a sequin suit — sometimes, it wears quiet courage.