Michael J. Fox has given a heartbreaking update on his health as he has admitted that he doesn't believe that he will live until 80.
The 62-year-old actor, who has been battling Parkinson's disease since 1991, has often been commended for his resilience and determination. Despite his diagnosis, Fox continued to work and kept his health struggle private for seven years after he was initially diagnosed at just 29 years old.
Parkinson's disease, as defined by the National Institutes of Health, is a brain disorder that leads to unintended or uncontrollable movements, including shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
In an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Fox opened up about the previous three decades battling the disease and how he doesn't think he will see 80 years old.
In a preview of the interview, Fox expressed the increasing difficulty he faces daily, acknowledging the harsh reality of living with Parkinson's.
He said: "I mean, I'm not gonna lie. It's getting hard … it's getting tougher. Every day it's tougher. But that's the way it is. I mean, you know, who do I see about that?"
Diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 29, Fox recalls the initial shock and fear that accompanied the revelation. At the time, he was riding high on the successes of the Back to the Future franchise and the sitcom Family Ties, but he refused to let the diagnosis slow him down.
Over the years, Fox continued to grace screens both big and small, starring in shows like Spin City and lending his voice to Stuart Little.
However, his health took a significant hit in 2018 when he underwent spinal surgery to remove a tumor unrelated to Parkinson's. Since then, Fox has faced numerous challenges, including the need to relearn how to walk.
Reflecting on the physical toll the disease has taken, Fox told CBS: "It messed up my walking … and then, started to break stuff. Broke this arm, and I broke this arm, I broke this elbow, I broke my face. I broke my hand."
He went on to explain the severe consequences people with Parkinson's face, emphasizing the danger of falls and complications like aspirating food, which can lead to pneumonia.
Fox noted: "All these subtle ways that get ya. You don't die from Parkinson's — you die with Parkinson's."
The day-to-day challenges have prompted Fox to confront his own mortality, stating to CBS: "I'm not gonna be 80. I'm not gonna be 80."
In 2023, Fox provided insights into his marriage with Tracy Polland during an interview at the regional premiere of his Apple+ documentary, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, at the SXSW Conference And Festival in Austin, Texas.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Pollan shared their secret to a healthy relationship, saying: "I think we really listen to each other, we are there for each other when we need each other."
She emphasized the importance of giving each other space when necessary and understanding each other's needs in the moment.
Fox reciprocated the sentiment, praising Pollan for being the foundation of their family. He expressed: "Any good in our family, anything good that we do, comes from her."
The documentary delves into Fox's life, including the challenging moments when he turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism after his Parkinson's diagnosis.
Reflecting on that period, Fox admitted: "I was definitely an alcoholic. But I've gone 30 years without having a drink."
He credited the support of his wife and children for helping him overcome those difficult times.
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