Joni Mitchell illness is natural given her age. However, she made an appearance at the Grammys last year in February despite her health issues. The 80-year-old singer has a decade-long career and she performed in 2024 as well. But Joni disappeared for several years in her career because of her health.
The legendary songwriter took a break from public performances and was recently seen using a cane. Here is a look at Joni Mitchell’s health history.
Read More About: Jim Carrey Daughter: A Look into the Comedian’s Life, Family, and Success
How Is Joni Mitchell Doing?
Health-wise, Mitchell was well enough to perform at the 2024 Grammys on Feb. 4 at a packed Crypto Arena in Los Angeles. It marked her debut performance at the event.
Her health challenges haven’t stopped her from releasing new music. She attended the Grammys as a nominee for Best Folk Album for Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live), adding to her nine previous wins.
The Big Yellow Taxi singer seems hopeful about her health, as she is set to headline a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles this October.
These performances build on a trend Mitchell started in July 2022 when she returned to the stage for the first time since her 2015 brain aneurysm. Her surprise set at the Newport Folk Festival marked her first full concert in 20 years, according to a news channel.
In 2023, Mitchell returned to the stage for several performances, including the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize concert in March, a Joni Jam event in Washington in June, and a Brandi Carlile and Friends show at the Hollywood Bowl in October.
According to another news channel, while recovering from her aneurysm, Mitchell hosted informal jam sessions with musicians at her home, which later inspired the name “Joni Jam.”
Joni Mitchell Illness
Mitchell hasn’t provided a formal health update in recent years, but she has previously discussed her health challenges.
Joni Mitchell Illness: Brain Aneurysm – 2015
Joni’a conservator Leslie Morris revealed that she was suffering from a brain aneurysm. Leslie issues a statement on the official website of Joni Mitchell saying:
“Joni did in fact suffer an aneurysm. However, details that have emerged in the past few days are mostly speculative. The truth is that Joni is speaking, and she’s speaking well, she is not walking yet, but she will be in the near future as she is undergoing daily therapies.”
Morris also mentioned that Mitchell was resting comfortably at home and improving each day, adding that “a full recovery is expected.
In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Mitchell discussed her aneurysm and the recovery process. She said:
“I haven’t been writing recently. I haven’t been playing my guitar or the piano or anything. No, I’m just concentrating on getting my health back. You know what? I came back from polio (at age 9), so here I am again, and struggling back.”
She highlighted her five-year struggle with the brain aneurysm, saying that she was “just inching my way along.” She mentioned showing slow improvement and moving forward, but she couldn’t walk. “I had to learn how again,” she said. She added:
“Polio didn’t grab me like that, but the aneurysm took away a lot more, really. Took away my speech and my ability to walk. I got my speech back quickly, but the walking, I’m still struggling with. But I mean, I’m a fighter. I’ve got Irish blood! … I knew, ‘Here I go again, another battle.”
Mitchell was first seen in public using a cane in December 2021 when she received her Kennedy Center Honor. In her speech, she remarked that she always thinks of polio as a rehearsal for the rest of her life. She has had to bounce back several times from challenges, and this last one was a big one. But, you know, she is hobbling along and doing all right!
Joni Mitchell Illness: Morgellons Disease
Over the years, Mitchell has often discussed her experience with Morgellon disease. However, Morgellons disease is not a recognized medical condition. It is characterized by the belief that parasites or fibers are emerging from the skin.
Mitchell described her illness as a weird, incurable disease that feels like it’s from outer space. She mentioned that Morgellons is often misdiagnosed as a “delusion of parasites.
Read More About: Who Are Usha Vance’s Parents: Krish and Lakshmi Chilukuri
The Mayo Clinic explains the disease as:
“Some health care providers recognize the condition as a delusional infestation and treat it with antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling. Others think the symptoms are related to an infectious process in skin cells. Further study is needed.”
In 2014, Mitchell shared that her skin condition had limited her ability to travel, and she primarily stayed at her home in Los Angeles. She explained:
“I can fly off to Canada, that’s about all I can handle. And I’m sick on both ends for about 10 to 12 days, my immune system is also very taxed … just being delicate. I’m always jet-lagged so touring was always hard for me. And now it’s kind of impossible.”
