Art Garfunkel’s Health and Paul Simon Friendship Update
Few voices defined the 1960s quite like Art Garfunkel’s soaring tenor. Over the years, his health battles and the famously strained friendship with Paul Simon have kept fans wondering about the man behind the music.
Born: November 5, 1941 ·
Birthplace: Forest Hills, New York, USA ·
Known for: Simon & Garfunkel duo ·
Hall of Fame: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1990) ·
Net worth (estimated): $95 million ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with vocal cord paresis in 2010 (Rolling Stone)
- Simon & Garfunkel split in 1970 due to creative differences (Wikipedia)
- Married to Kim Garfunkel since 1988, has two sons (Wikipedia)
- Net worth estimated at $95 million (Wikipedia)
- Exact current status of his vocal cord recovery not publicly detailed (Wikipedia)
- Whether Simon and Garfunkel have fully reconciled remains ambiguous (Wikipedia)
- Specific nature of Paul Simon’s hearing loss condition not fully disclosed (TV Insider)
- 2010: Vocal cord paresis diagnosis
- 2014: Stage return after recovery
- 2023: Tearful lunch with Paul Simon
- 2024: Album “Father and Son” with his son
- Continued solo performances possible if voice remains stable
- Potential for further collaboration with son James
- Uncertain future of any Simon & Garfunkel reunion
Nine facts about Art Garfunkel, one pattern: the musician has maintained a career across decades despite personal and health setbacks.
| Full name | Arthur Ira Garfunkel |
| Born | |
| Birthplace | Forest Hills, New York, USA |
| Occupation | Singer, actor, poet |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Spouse | Kim Garfunkel (m. 1988) |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Net worth | $95 million (estimated) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
What illness does Art Garfunkel have?
Vocal cord paresis diagnosis
- In 2010, Garfunkel was diagnosed with vocal cord paresis — a weakness or partial paralysis of the vocal folds (Rolling Stone (music publication)).
- The condition forced him to cancel tour dates and left him unable to sing for a period (The Independent (UK newspaper)).
The diagnosis was a shock for fans who had watched Garfunkel sell millions of records with Simon & Garfunkel. Doctors reportedly linked the irritation to smoking, and Garfunkel said he quit tobacco and marijuana to aid recovery (Rolling Stone). For another musician’s health journey, see our article on Sebastian Bach: Love Triangle, Axl Rose Friendship & 2024 Album.
Impact on singing career
- In 2014, after years of therapy, Garfunkel announced his return to the stage with the words “The voice is back” (The Independent).
- He completed a month-long American tour starting in late January 2014 (Rolling Stone).
The recovery was remarkable but not total; he later canceled 2023 concert dates, and his management said he would not return to touring for the foreseeable future (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia)).
Recovery and current status
Garfunkel has not publicly detailed the exact state of his voice in 2024–2025, but he released a new album with his son in November 2024, suggesting he can still sing.
Garfunkel has not publicly detailed the exact state of his voice in 2024–2025, but he released a new album with his son in November 2024, suggesting he can still sing. His vocal future remains cautious; fans await official touring announcements.
The implication: Garfunkel’s voice appears stable enough for studio recording but may not be tour-ready.
Is Paul Simon still friends with Art Garfunkel?
History of their friendship
- Simon and Garfunkel met in 1956 at school in Forest Hills, New York (Wikipedia).
- They formed the duo Tom & Jerry before becoming Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s (Wikipedia).
Their partnership produced iconic albums like “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” but behind the scenes tensions grew.
The 2003 reunion and its aftermath
- In 2003, Simon & Garfunkel reunited for a North American tour, but the relationship soured again (Variety (entertainment news)).
- Paul Simon later described the friendship as “broken” in a 2024 documentary interview (TV Insider (TV news)).
The 2003 tour ended with both men frustrated, and they did not perform together again for years.
Recent statements from both artists
- In 2024, Garfunkel told People he and Simon had a tearful lunch where they made amends (People (celebrity news magazine)).
- Variety reported Garfunkel cried during the lunch while trying to mend the rift (Variety).
Despite the emotional reunion, Simon has not publicly commented on the lunch. The status of their friendship remains partly ambiguous.
What this means: The 2024 lunch signals a possible thaw, but full reconciliation is not confirmed. Public statements remain one-sided from Garfunkel.
What caused the split between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel?
Creative differences
- Simon wanted to pursue a solo career and felt constrained by the duo format (Wikipedia).
- Garfunkel’s acting commitments, including a role in “Catch-22,” created scheduling conflicts (Wikipedia).
Personal tensions
- Simon has said in interviews that he and Garfunkel simply did not get along personally (Variety).
- The 1970 breakup was reportedly tense, with Simon feeling Garfunkel was not fully committed to the duo (Wikipedia).
The role of the 1970 breakup
Despite the success of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which became one of the best-selling albums of all time, the duo never recorded together again. The creative friction outweighed commercial reward.
The pattern: Creative disagreements and personal chemistry issues have repeatedly prevented a sustained reunion, even decades after the original breakup.
What has happened to Art Garfunkel?
Health updates
- He canceled remaining 2023 concert dates and has not returned to touring (Wikipedia).
Personal life: wife and children
- Garfunkel married Kim Garfunkel in 1988. They have two sons (Wikipedia).
- His son James is also a musician; they collaborated on the 2024 album “Father and Son” (People).
Recent performances and projects
- In 2017, Garfunkel published a memoir, “What Is It All but Luminous” (Wikipedia).
- He continues to release music, including the 2024 album “Father and Son” with his son (Wikipedia).
For comparison, see our update on Jon Bon Jovi: Health, Tour 2026 & Net Worth Updates.
The trade-off: Garfunkel has channeled his energy into family and solo projects, but his performing career remains on hold indefinitely due to his voice condition.
What illness is Paul Simon suffering from?
Paul Simon’s hearing loss
- Paul Simon has experienced significant hearing loss, which has affected his ability to perform live (TV Insider).
- He has not publicly disclosed a specific diagnosis beyond hearing loss (TV Insider).
Comparison with Garfunkel’s condition
- Garfunkel’s issue is vocal; Simon’s is hearing. Both affect live performance capacity.
- Unlike Garfunkel, Simon has not canceled tours due to his hearing loss publicly.
Impact on their potential reunion
Even if the personal rift heals, both aging musicians face physical limitations — Garfunkel’s voice and Simon’s hearing — that may prevent a full-scale tour.
Why this matters: Fans hoping for a reunion should temper expectations: health constraints are now as significant a barrier as the personal rift.
Timeline
- 1941: Art Garfunkel born in Forest Hills, New York (Wikipedia).
- 1956: Meets Paul Simon in school; forms duo Tom & Jerry (Wikipedia).
- 1964: Simon & Garfunkel release first album “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” (Wikipedia).
- 1970: Duo splits after “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Wikipedia).
- 1981: Reunion concert in Central Park (Wikipedia).
- 2003: Simon & Garfunkel tour together; relationship sours (Variety).
- 2010: Garfunkel diagnosed with vocal cord paresis (Rolling Stone).
- 2017: Publishes memoir “What Is It All but Luminous” (Wikipedia).
- 2023: Cancels tour dates; management says no immediate return (Wikipedia).
- 2024: Tearful lunch with Paul Simon; releases album with son (People).
The arc: Garfunkel’s life has been a series of peaks — musical genius, bitter splits, health crises, tentative reconciliations. The 2024 developments suggest a late-life turn toward healing.
Confirmed facts
- Art Garfunkel was diagnosed with vocal cord paresis in 2010 (Rolling Stone).
- Simon & Garfunkel split in 1970 due to creative differences (Wikipedia).
- Garfunkel is married to Kim Garfunkel and has two sons (Wikipedia).
- His net worth is estimated at $95 million (Wikipedia).
What’s unclear
- The exact current status of his vocal cord recovery is not publicly detailed (Wikipedia).
- Whether Simon and Garfunkel have fully reconciled remains ambiguous (Wikipedia).
- The specific nature of Paul Simon’s hearing loss condition is not fully disclosed (TV Insider).
- Whether Garfunkel will ever tour again has not been announced (Wikipedia).
- The depth of the 2024 reconciliation — beyond one lunch — is unknown (Variety).
“The voice is back.”
— Art Garfunkel, announcing his stage return in 2014 (Rolling Stone)
“I cried. It was a very emotional lunch. We were trying to make amends.”
— Art Garfunkel, on his 2024 reunion with Paul Simon (Variety)
“Our friendship is broken.”
— Paul Simon, discussing the state of his relationship with Garfunkel in a 2024 documentary (TV Insider)
For fans of Simon & Garfunkel, the 2024 lunch between the two men offers a glimmer of closure, but the physical realities of aging — Garfunkel’s voice and Simon’s hearing — mean a full musical reunion is unlikely. The choice is clear: treasure the past recordings, or hold out hope for a miracle duet that neither man’s body may allow.
youtube.com, goldminemag.com, mondaymondaymusic.net, reddit.com, diecast.org
Fans concerned about the singer’s well-being can find a detailed update on Art Garfunkels health and friendship in a recent report.
Frequently asked questions
What is Art Garfunkel’s most famous song?
His most famous song is “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the title track of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 album, which became a worldwide hit.
How old is Art Garfunkel?
He was born on November 5, 1941, making him 83 years old as of 2025.
Does Art Garfunkel still perform?
He has not toured since canceling 2023 dates due to his vocal condition, but he continues to record music, including the 2024 album “Father and Son.”
What is Art Garfunkel’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at $95 million (Wikipedia).
Who is Art Garfunkel’s wife?
His wife is Kim Garfunkel, whom he married in 1988.
How many children does Art Garfunkel have?
He has two sons.
What is Art Garfunkel’s height?
He is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m).
What is Art Garfunkel’s son’s name?
His son’s name is James Garfunkel, who is also a musician and collaborated on the album “Father and Son” in 2024.
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