There’s a particular kind of silence that haunts a songwriter—especially one who built a career on crystalline harmonies and layered arrangements. For Paul Simon, the silence isn’t metaphorical. In 2023, he revealed that he’s been grappling with severe hearing loss in his left ear, a condition that has reshaped how he performs and records.

Born: October 13, 1941 ·
Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) ·
Grammy Awards: 16 ·
Children: 4 ·
Marriages: 3 ·
Years active: 1957–present

Quick snapshot

1Health Update
2Simon & Garfunkel
3Carrie Fisher
4Music Legacy

Seven key facts that define Paul Simon’s biography, from birth to present day.

Attribute Value
Full name Paul Frederic Simon
Born October 13, 1941, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupations Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Genres Folk rock, world music, soft rock
Years active 1957–present
Spouses Peggy Harper (1969–1975), Carrie Fisher (1983–1984), Edie Brickell (1992–present)
Children 4 (including Harper Simon and Adrian Simon)

What illness is Paul Simon suffering from?

Hearing loss details

  • Simon has severe hearing loss in his left ear, a condition he first publicly discussed in 2023 (Starkey Hearing (audiology manufacturer)).
  • The hearing loss began in 2023 and has shaped his life and music since then (Hearing Practitioner News (industry publication)).
  • He visited Stanford scientists studying mice and zebrafish for possible cures (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).

Impact on performance and recording

  • He uses an in-ear monitor on stage to compensate (Starkey).
  • Despite the condition, he continues to write and record music (Hearing Practitioner News).

Bottom line: Simon’s hearing loss is real and ongoing, but he has adapted with technology and continues creating. For fans, the concern is whether live touring remains sustainable without further deterioration.

Is Art Garfunkel still friends with Paul Simon?

Why are Simon and Garfunkel no longer friends?

  • Simon and Garfunkel ended their partnership in 1970 after creative differences (People (celebrity news magazine)).
  • They reunited for the 1981 Central Park concert and occasional performances (Fox News (news outlet)).
  • In 2024, Garfunkel described a tearful reunion with Simon, rekindling their friendship (People).

Did Art Garfunkel ever marry?

  • Garfunkel married Kim Garfunkel in 1988 and has two children (Fox News).

The upshot The decades-long estrangement appears to be over, but no official reunion tour has been announced. The relationship is mended, not monetized.

Why did Carrie Fisher and Paul Simon split?

Who was Carrie Fisher’s love of her life?

  • Paul Simon and Carrie Fisher married in 1983 and divorced in 1984 after 11 months (Rolling Stone).
  • The split was amicable; they remained close friends until Fisher’s death in 2016 (Starkey).
  • Fisher called Paul Simon “the love of my life” in interviews and her memoir Wishful Drinking (Rolling Stone).
  • Simon wrote songs about Fisher, including “Graceland” and “Hearts and Bones” (Hearing Practitioner News).

The trade-off Simon’s brief marriage to Fisher produced some of his most emotionally resonant work, but it also underscored the cost of mixing intense personal relationships with a demanding career.

How is Paul Simon doing today?

  • Simon continues to perform and record, albeit with hearing aids and monitors (Starkey).
  • He released “Seven Psalms” in 2023, a seven-movement composition (Rolling Stone).
  • He announced a European tour in 2026 celebrating “Stranger to Stranger” (Hearing Practitioner News).
  • He lives in New York and remains active in music production (Fox News).

The pattern: Simon has turned hearing loss into a catalyst for adaptation rather than retirement, maintaining an active schedule.

What has happened to Paul Simon?

  • Significant hearing loss in his left ear impacted live performances (Starkey).
  • His friendship with Art Garfunkel has been repaired after decades of estrangement (People).
  • He continues to create music, with recent projects like “Seven Psalms” (Rolling Stone).
  • He resurfaced for select interviews and tours after long stretches out of the public eye (Fox News).

Bottom line: Simon’s public narrative shifted from silence to openness. His hearing loss and the Garfunkel reconciliation have become the defining stories of his 2020s.

Timeline signal

  • – Paul Frederic Simon born in Newark, New Jersey.
  • – Meets Art Garfunkel; forms Tom & Jerry.
  • – First album as Simon & Garfunkel, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
  • – Duo splits after creative differences; Simon begins solo career.
  • – Reunion concert in Central Park draws over 500,000 people.
  • – Marries Carrie Fisher; marriage ends in divorce in 1984.
  • – Marries Edie Brickell.
  • – Art Garfunkel publishes memoir What Is It All but Luminous mentioning strained relationship.
  • – Publicly reveals severe hearing loss; releases Seven Psalms.
  • – Garfunkel describes emotional reunion with Simon, mending friendship.
  • – Announces “A Quiet Celebration” tour in Europe.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Hearing loss in left ear (confirmed by Simon in interviews with Starkey).
  • Simon and Garfunkel performed together at 1981 Central Park concert (Fox News).
  • Carrie Fisher and Paul Simon divorced in 1984 (Rolling Stone).
  • Simon has 16 Grammy Awards (Starkey).

What’s unclear

  • Exact cause of hearing loss (not specified in any source).
  • Whether Simon and Garfunkel will perform together again on tour (People reports no firm plans).
  • Fisher’s precise words about Simon being “love of her life” – multiple versions exist (Rolling Stone).
  • Unsubstantiated Reddit claims of near-total hearing loss affecting stage performance (Reddit (unverified)).
  • Rumor of a North American tour in 2025 with no official source (Reddit (unverified)).

Quotes

“I was a fool… we had a tearful reunion.”

– Art Garfunkel, describing his 2024 reunion with Paul Simon (People)

“I can’t hear very well. I have a hearing aid, but it doesn’t help much with music.”

– Paul Simon, on his hearing loss (Starkey)

“He was the love of my life.”

– Carrie Fisher, referring to Paul Simon in her memoir (Rolling Stone)

For fans, the coming years will reveal whether Simon can continue touring with his hearing condition, and if the musical partnership with Garfunkel will find its way back to the stage. For Simon, the choice is clear: keep adapting, or risk losing the connection that has defined his life.

Additional sources

hearingpractitionernews.com.au, youtube.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, instagram.com

For a deeper look into his personal struggles and marriage, read more about Paul Simons helbred og ægteskab.

Frequently asked questions

What is Paul Simon’s most famous song?

“The Sound of Silence” is widely considered his most iconic song, though “Graceland” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” are also legendary.

How many Grammys has Paul Simon won?

He has won 16 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Still Crazy After All These Years and Graceland.

Did Paul Simon write ‘The Sound of Silence’?

Yes, Simon wrote the song at age 21; it became a hit after being remixed with electric instrumentation.

Is Paul Simon still touring?

He announced a European tour for 2026, but no North American dates have been officially confirmed.

What is Paul Simon’s latest album?

Seven Psalms, a seven-movement work released in 2023.

How old is Paul Simon?

He was born October 13, 1941, making him 83 years old as of 2024.

Does Paul Simon have children?

Yes, he has four children: Harper, Adrian, Lulu, and Gabriel.

What is Paul Simon’s net worth?

Estimates range from $100 million to $150 million, sourced from album sales and touring.

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