Linda Ronstadt is an award-winning singer with over 100 million albums sold worldwide and collaborations with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton.
Now 77, the legendary musician tries her best to stay strong, despite her health battle and progressive supranuclear palsy diagnosis.
Ronstadt has kept her funny side alive and even jokes about worrying more about the cat peeing on the rug than dying.
Born on July 15, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona, Linda Maria Ronstadt is a singer and actress famously known for starring in the 1983 movie, “The Pirates of Penzance,” the 1986 film, “An American Tail,” and the 1989 movie, “The Abyss.”
She is said to have performed and recorded in an array of genres, including rock, country, rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm and blues, new wave, reggae, big band, jazz, opera, folk, Cajun, Latin American, Broadway, Afro-Cuban and Mexican, kids’ music, adult contemporary, acoustic rock, gospel, and art rock.
Ronstadt has won many accolades and laurels, including 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, and an Emmy Award. On April 10, 2014, the songstress was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The award-winning singer said it took her many years to tell Clooney that she and Brown had brought her second-hand roses.
Moreover, the “Long Long Time” singer was also nominated for Broadway’s 1981 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for “The Pirates of Penzance”—a character she recreated in the movie version of the same title in 1983.
She also teamed up with top country musicians Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, forming The Trio, and released two albums in 1987 and 1999, both a roaring success. The three ladies witnessed their first track, “To Know Him is to Love Him,” top Billboard Magazine’s country singles chart in 1987.
Ronstadt was once considered one of the highest-paid female musicians in rock and was famous for many things. Her unique voice enabled her to bag multiple awards and rule the charts, garnering massive praise even on Broadway. But that wasn’t all.
Because of her magical voice and timeless aura, America’s former president, Barack Obama, and Kermit the Frog reportedly had crushes on her. Ronstadt experienced her first wave of success in the 1960s as L.A.’s “Stone Poneys” lead singer.
Known for her remarkable soprano that cemented her name as one of the premium song interpreters of her era, Ronstadt is also known for prioritizing privacy in her personal life. In 2013, the iconic singer sat down to discuss her memoir, “Simple Dreams,” where she mentioned that her voice started to change at 50.
The then-67-year-old Ronstadt didn’t state a solid reason for retiring from music in 2009, although the book made a cryptic reference to when she had a healthy voice.
When asked if the former musician had tick disease, she replied that she had two terrible tick bites in the 1980s, after which her health never improved. Not having mentioned the information in her book, Ronstadt said people didn’t see her much afterward because she couldn’t sing.
Ronstadt made another shocking confession, adding she had Parkinson’s disease, which could have been due to her tick bite. In the same interview, she recalled her doctors telling her about the link between tick bites and Parkinson’s disease and that a virus could switch on a gene or lead to neurodegeneration.
It wasn’t long before Ronstadt realized she couldn’t sing, having struggled for almost six years on stage. She amusingly reflected on the whole episode, adding how she contemplated singing upside down and juggling—anything to bring back her musical streak.
Sadly, nothing helped, and all of Ronstadt’s efforts were in vain. She reportedly only knew that her issue was either muscular or mechanical. Later, after her Parkinson’s diagnosis, she finally learned the reason for her lost singing voice.
Only then did she understand that nobody with Parkinson’s disease could sing, regardless of the efforts or energy they expended. It was incredibly heartbreaking for the megastar to admit that she couldn’t sing a note.
In 2021, Ronstadt described her journey of falling deeply and madly in love with music as a little girl. She said she was barely two when she knew she wanted to sing. Thereafter, she always sang and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
However, at the time, she was unaware that many years later, she would pursue music as a career and become famous. As time passed, her name was recognized as the most beloved and sought-after musician of the 70s.
Ten of Ronstadt’s singles topped Billboard’s Top 10 list, including the classics “Blue Bayou” and “You’re No Good.” In 1987, she released an album comprising traditional Mexican folk songs, deemed her most personal endeavor since it encapsulated her family bonds and heritage. The phenomenal album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2020.
In addition to producing record-breaking music, Ronstadt has also made headlines for her distinct sense of dressing and style. She once called herself a geek who only started wearing makeup in her mid-20s and never felt pressured to be dressed up or styled.
The songstress said she modeled her style off of the servers at the Sunset Strip club, mainly the sparkling Betsey Johnson attire she wore to her shows. The “Don’t Know Much” star noted how she carried her purple-striped dress, washed it in the basin at night, and eventually gave it to Goodwill.
Both of Ronstadt’s parents were musically inclined, so she grew up with an appreciation and love for singing and everything coming out of her family’s kitchen. The “Just One Look” singer said she admired ranch food, including beans and tortillas, and also cheese.
Details about Linda’s Personal Life, including the Men She Dated & Her Decision to Pursue Adoption
In addition to her passion for music, Ronstadt mentioned her once-beau, Jerry Brown, in her memoir, whom she dated the first time he was California’s governor. When asked if she was still on friendly terms with him, she said she often heard from him and called him a good guy.
The “Tumbling Dice” singer shared an instance when Brown dropped by her place while she was leaving to have dinner with Rosemary Clooney. Being his typical self, Ronstadt said he invited himself to dinner and suggested taking a large flower bouquet for Clooney, which someone had given her. The award-winning singer noted it took her many years to tell Clooney that she and Brown had brought her secondhand roses.
Ronstadt also talked about dating the American filmmaker George Lucas and whether she planned to do anything innovative with him. Although the “It’s so Easy” star admitted to being friends with her former flame, she never mixed her personal life with business.
Furthermore, Ronstadt said she was happy Lucas married a lovely woman and started his family. Despite caring about people with all her heart and soul, she confessed she wasn’t the marrying type. In 1983, the then-37-year-old Ronstadt dated “The Mask” actor Jim Carrey, who was 21 then.
In her early 40s, the popular music idol decided to turn to adoption. While she had never entertained settling down with any of her ex-lovers—Brown, Lucas, or Albert Brooks—Rondstadt always knew she wanted to embrace motherhood someday.
In an exclusive interview with Playboy magazine in 1980, Ronstadt said she thought things through and realized she loved children immensely. She stated that the reason why people had kids was because they wanted them more than anything, and if she reached that point, she wouldn’t care about her single status.
“I won’t care if I’m married or not. I’d prefer to be with the kids’ father because I think that would multiply the enjoyment and the richness of the experience geometrically, but I don’t think it would be impossible to do it alone,” added the “Love Is a Rose” singer.
Since none of her relationships were long-lasting, the “Hurt So Bad” star realized her dream of becoming a mom when she adopted a daughter, Mary Clementine, in December 1990. Four years later, she adopted another baby, a boy named Carlos, in 1994.
As a new parent, Ronstadt had to balance motherhood with her music career. After more than ten years of dividing her time between being a mom in San Francisco and attending tours, she retired from singing in 2011.
According to Ronstadt’s daughter Mary’s LinkedIn profile, she worked as an art assistant at the Guadalupe Art Program in San Francisco from 2009 till 2019.
Her love and passion for art came from her mom, who patronized the non-profit organization “Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy.” The organization has been dedicated to teaching youngsters traditional Mexican dance and music for over three decades.
Ronstadt maintains an adorable bond with her adopted kids, whom she raised in Arizona. She’s also incredibly close to her daughter, Mary.
The “Heat Wave” singer’s son likes steering clear of the limelight like his big sister. In a candid interview, the mom-of-two shared that her kids loved music from an early age and insisted that their mother sang to them at night. She also gushed about how her daughter could harmonize so well, and her son quickly learned to play the guitar.
Despite his talent, Carlos was into technology and had a decent job and a lovely girlfriend. The proud mom said her kids turned to music for enjoyment instead of making a career out of it.
Almost a decade after retirement, Ronstadt said her life was peaceful, and she was lucky to have a supportive circle of loved ones. She enjoyed watching ballet and opera performances on YouTube and was hopeful for the day when everyone would flock to the theaters to witness something magnificent.
Linda Ronstadt Discusses Life after Her Health Battle & Being Fat Shamed
In 2014, Ronstadt’s health was the main reason she didn’t attend the 29th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Brooklyn. But she admitted she wasn’t fazed about missing the event, as she had never considered herself a rock ‘n’ roll singer.
On another occasion, she revealed that her health battle robbed her of casual traveling; hence, she traveled only for urgent and important matters, as it was too difficult otherwise.
Ronstadt has handled her terrifying health ordeal seemingly well, having connected to other Parkinson’s patients and exploring various treatments. She has also kept her hilarious side alive and didn’t let go of her excellent sense of humor.
After a fulfilling 40-year music career and recording over 30 albums, the Arizona native’s final album came out in 2006. Then, in November 2009, she performed at her last concert in San Antonio.
Having sung various genres throughout her career, Ronstadt said she never worked for awards or recognition.
In addition to Tucson, Arizona, the “Somewhere Out There” singer has called San Francisco her home, where she lived with her children. She had two cottages on her property—one occupied by herself and her son, Carlos, and the other by her daughter, Mary.
In an interview in 2013, Ronstadt shared that her then-19-year-old son, who was passionate about physics, planned to move to Santa Cruz with his girlfriend, which would leave the house to her. But her daughter, who was creative and loved sculpting, drawing, and painting, would keep her company in her son’s absence.
In November 2022, Ronstadt made another shocking revelation in an exclusive interview. Although she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, she later discovered she was actually suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy—a disorder similar to Parkinson’s.
Earlier in 2019, she talked about the struggle of accepting herself as someone with Parkinson’s and explaining her condition to people.
She stated how daily tasks like brushing her teeth and picking up stuff were problematic and how she dropped things and fell often.
When asked if Ronstadt could still play music after her diagnosis, she said she couldn’t sing or play the piano or guitar. The singer nostalgically added that she missed knitting.
In a late 1970 Rolling Stone magazine interview, the “I Can’t Help It” star admitted to battling acute depression.
Besides her life drastically changing after the diagnosis, Ronstadt has been fat-shamed, even though gaining weight is connected with her health ordeal. In January 2023, a Twitter user slammed the songstress, saying:
“Linda Ronstadt got fat. I would much prefer a fat Karen Carpenter to a dead one.”
But it seems that the country star is unbothered by criticism or people judging her choices in her 70s. She proved this by choosing slim-fitted jeans and rocking them with her vibrant smile and sheer confidence.
Even though many years have passed since Ronstadt ruled the music arena, her unique dressing style and personal choices prove that she’s unafraid of haters and determined to do what pleases her heart.
Even though Parkinson’s deprived Ronstadt of her singing ability, she confessed to being open to other thematic and archival releases in the future. When asked what she had learned from the trying times, the “Don’t Know Much” singer replied:
“You always learn more from failure than success. I really believe that. I think adversity is a great teacher.”
Ronstadt’s sore trials have taught her the importance of surrounding herself with a strong support system. In addition to her adopted kids’ love and care, she’s been vocal about her loved ones’ encouragement in the wake of her progressive disease.
In 2019, Ronstadt admitted to staying primarily at home in her Sea Cliff home. At the time, her son, who worked at Apple, resided on the third floor and kept her company.
The singer moved to San Francisco’s Bay Area in 2005 and enjoyed being in her cottage near the ocean, seeing ballet and symphony performances regularly.
Besides spending most of her time with her children, Ronstadt says she has wonderful friends who often keep her company. Since it’s difficult for her to sit upright or stand for too long, the “Tracks Of My Tears” singer avoids being caught up in long, spontaneous doorway conversations.
The “Blue Bayou” singer is happy and content despite all her woes and even released a book “Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands,” in November 2022. She even joked about worrying more about the cat peeing on the rug than dying.
At 77, Ronstadt looks fabulous in her tight jeans, carrying herself with elegance and class and showing the world that it’s never too late to do what makes us feel joyous and comfortable.
