Parkinson’s Disease Day: 5 notable figures who have lived with the disorder

Every year, World Parkinson’s Disease Day is observed on April 11 around the world to raise awareness about the progressive neurological disorder, that currently has no cure. While a lot more people know about the disease now than before, there is still a lot more research needed to be done to find a cure, apart from medical assistance. 

Over the years, there are many people who have been diagnosed with the condition, and among them have been several celebrities including actors, musicians, sportspersons and even a religious head. While there may be many more, they have chosen to keep it private, however, some of these celebrities have chosen to raise awareness, and even advocate for it through their initiatives.

Here are five notable figures who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease:

Michael J Fox 
Michael J. Fox has been one of the most popular celebrities to speak about Parkinson`s Disease, after his diagnosis in 1991, at the age of 29. While the 63-year-old initially kept it private, he went on to make it public in 1998. Ever since then, he has been a strong advocate for the disease, as he also started the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson`s Research. The actor is popularly known for his role as Marty McFly in the 1985 film `Back to the Future` and the subsequent films that make up the trilogy. While he has done many films over the years, his acting stints are known to have reduced because of the disease, which he has spoken about in many interviews over the years to raise awareness and even help research about it.

Muhammad Ali 
A little before Fox, world-renowned boxer Muhammad Ali, who was born as Cassius Clay, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1984. Incidentally, the diagnosis came three years after his retirement, according to parkinsons.org. Known to be outspoken about several issues, he also helped raise awareness about the disease in the 2000s till the time he passed away in 2016. During this time, just like Fox, even he started the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix, Arizona, in the USA.

Neil Diamond 
In 2018, celebrated American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond announced that he would be retiring from touring because of his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. It was after he cancelled the third leg of his 50th anniversary tour. Having won many awards over the years, Neil Diamond is popularly known for the song ‘Sweet Caroline’ among others. Seven years since his diagnosis, he still continues to talk about living with the disease and coming to terms with it.

Ozzy Osbourne 
Like Diamond, even English singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which has taken a toll on his health over the years. The 76-year-old popularly known as the lead singer of the band, Black Sabbath, made the revelation in 2020 to fans. Having been active for over 50 years, his unique voice has produced some of the biggest hits not only with the band, but also during his solo career that started in the 1980s.

Pope John Paul II
Even Pope John Paul II, who was born as Karol Józef Wojtyła, and was the head of the Roman Catholic church from 1978 till his death in 2005, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2001 before the Vatican announced it in 2003. Incidentally, the religious also has a connection with Mumbai, as he visited the city, and even Vasai, as a part of his 10-day pilgrimage to the Indian subcontinent in 1986.