Neil Diamond Tells ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ That He Only Recently Accepted His 2018 Parkinson’s Diagnosis: “Just In Last Few Weeks”

Lynette Rice

Coming to terms with his 2018 diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease has been an enormous challenge for Neil Diamond. In an interview with Anthony Mason for the April 2 episode of CBS Sunday Morning, Diamond admits that he only recently accepted the hard reality about his health.

“I think this has just been in the last few weeks,” says Diamond, 82. “I don’t like it. But the … this is me, this is what I have to accept. And I’m willing to do it. And, OK, so this is the hand that God’s given me, and I have to make the best of it, and so I am. I am.”

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“But somehow, a calm has moved in, and the hurricane of my life, and things have gotten very quiet, as quiet as this recording studio,” he continued. “And, I like it. I find that I like myself better. I’m easier on people. I’m easier on myself. And the beat goes on, and it will go on long after I’m gone.”

Diamond also talked with Mason about the current Broadway show based on his life, A Beautiful Noise. It stars Will Swenson as a young Diamond.

“It was all pretty hard. I was a little embarrassed. I was flattered and I was scared,” said Diamond.

“What were you scared of?” asked Mason.

“Being found out is the scariest thing you can hope, because we all have a façade. And the truth be known to all of ‘em. I’m not some big star. I’m just me.”

CBS Sunday Morning, which has been the No. 1 Sunday morning news program for 22 consecutive broadcast seasons, airs from 9-10:30 a.m. ET on CBS and also streams on Paramount+. Rand Morrison is the executive producer.

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