Linda Ronstadt’s health journey has posed challenges for her music career. Learn more about the strength and resilience she’s displayed through it all.
Linda Ronstadt is an American singer born in 1946. She’s known for her powerful voice and crossing musical genres — including rock, country, pop and light opera — during the late 1960s. In more recent years, Linda Ronstadt’s health has become the focus of the conversation. Despite her issues, she’s faced her struggles with resilience and grace and has been open about her diagnosis. This article discusses how she advocates for health awareness while navigating limitations imposed by her illness.
Linda Ronstadt’s Musical Legacy and Life Challenges
Linda Ronstadt was in her early 20s when she and a couple of friends formed the group the Stone Poneys. Within a few years, the group appeared on the Billboard charts with the hit song Different Drum. Since then, she’s sold over 50 million records, won 10 Grammys and received the National Medal of Arts. She’s also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Recreational drug use was common in the 1970s and ’80s, and Ronstadt was part of this culture. She’s admitted to trying everything, including cocaine. However, Linda Ronstadt’s cocaine use was never a significant part of her lifestyle.
Facing a Life-Changing Diagnosis
In the early 2000s, Ronstadt began struggling with her vocals, which forced her into retirement in 2009. Critics blamed drug use, but there was no connection or medical evidence linking her neurological illness with substance abuse.
Initially, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a condition of the central nervous system that affects the way a person moves. The disease often causes tremors, stiffness and a loss of balance. Later, Linda Ronstadt’s disease was determined to be a rare brain disorder called progressive supranuclear palsy. Only 6 in every 100,000 individuals are diagnosed with the condition, which causes loss of coordination, mood changes, memory problems, uncontrollable blinking and difficulty speaking.
The disease is most common in individuals ages 60 and older, and the life expectancy after a diagnosis is around 7 years.
Risk Factors for PSP
The exact cause of PSP is unknown. Research suggests it may be due to a build-up of a protein called tau, which is located in neurons. An excess of tau has also been found in other conditions, such as Alzheimer’s. However, some cases of PSP have been associated with certain gene mutations. Because of the complexity of the disease, diagnosing it can be extremely difficult. It requires a comprehensive neurological examination, an assessment of eye movement and motor functions and gathering family medical history information. Additional symptoms may include:
- Slow eye movements
- Problems looking up and down without moving the head
- Turning the head instead of following sound with the eyes
- Issues opening and closing the eyelids
- Difficulty walking
- Changes in behavior
- Difficulty solving problems
- Extreme mood shifts
Linda Ronstadt’s Health Challenges
Instead of removing herself from the public eye, Ronstadt has been open and honest about her health challenges. She’s spoken on multiple occasions with the press in hopes of spreading awareness about PSP and other neurological diseases. In an early interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, she explained, “I couldn’t hear the top end of my voice. My throat would clutch up. It would be like I had a cramp.”
She also wrote a book, Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir, where she provides insight into her musical career and personal life and explains how her diagnosis affected all areas of her life.
What We Can Learn From Her Resilience
Resilience is our ability to bounce back from difficult events and challenges. Being resilient helps us cope with stress and succeed even in the face of adversity. Instead of fading away from the public eye after her diagnosis, Ronstadt has remained open and honest, spreading awareness about her illness. Her story can teach us several things.
- Adaptation Is the Key to Success
You’ve probably heard that change is constant — it’s the one thing we can be sure of. When we accept that nothing stays the same forever, it gives us room to grow and adapt. Adapting means developing problem-solving skills, remaining flexible and adjusting to life’s challenges. It’s important for our mental and emotional well-being. - You Aren’t Your Diagnosis
Regardless of what you’ve been diagnosed with, it’s important to understand you aren’t your illness. It’s only a small part of who you are. Ronstadt maintained her identity and musical influence despite her health challenges. - Educate Yourself
When you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness or other condition, learn as much as you can. Seek information from reputable sources, ask your doctor and join support groups for others going through the same thing. Learn about the potential outcomes and what to expect long-term as you live with the illness. The more you learn, the better prepared you are to face the future.
The Power of Support and Adaptation
A strong support system is important in all situations. Whether it’s family, friends or group therapy, a strong support system can help improve your mental health, reduce stress and make you feel less alone when you’re going through difficult times. There are several ways Ronstadt has gained strength from support.
- Taking a Realistic View
One thing we can learn from Linda Ronstadt is that she’s faced every adverse situation by adapting and facing her problems head-on. She’s overcome every challenge by accepting her diagnosis and seeking help and support from those around her. - Adapting to New Realities
Even though Ronstadt can’t perform on a stage, she remains relevant in the musical community by providing interviews, attending events and writing her book. She’s embraced her new role as a mentor and educator, proving that life can be fulfilling even when you have an illness. - Advocating for Change
Instead of giving up after her diagnosis, Ronstadt used her platform to spread awareness to others about the challenges faced by individuals with neurological disorders. By sharing her experiences, she hopes to generate a greater understanding and empathy for those struggling with rare medical conditions.
Reaching Out for Help
Rondstad’s health is a beacon of promise for others struggling with any neurological or mental illness. The key is to reach out for help and continue pushing forward. If you or someone you love struggles with mental health or substance abuse, reach out to Restore Mental Health for answers to questions you may have about treatment. We can help provide you with the support you need.
