Israeli Journalist Neri Livneh Publicly Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis at 73

Neri Livneh, a 73-year-old Israeli journalist, courageously disclosed her battle with Parkinson’s disease in a personal column published on Thursday in Haaretz. The revelation was prompted by an incident where she lost her wallet, which was returned to her containing her Parkinson’s association membership card. Livneh reflected on the stigma and surprise such a card might provoke, noting it was a club she never wished to join.

She recounted how she initially did not suspect Parkinson’s despite experiencing symptoms such as slowed movement, a stooped posture, and weak speech, which worsened two years after she quit smoking. It was her son who first suspected the disease and urged her to see a neurologist, who confirmed the diagnosis and prescribed dopamine treatment.

Livneh challenged common stereotypes about Parkinson’s, sharing that she met younger women and men her age who manage the disease actively without visible tremors. She emphasized that many patients lead full, active lives, including working and traveling.

She chose to reveal her condition now after weeks of contemplation, stating her commitment to honesty with her readers and declaring it was time to "come out of the closet" about her illness. Livneh’s openness aims to shed light on the realities of living with Parkinson’s and to break down misconceptions surrounding the disease.