‘Mary Poppins’ star Julie Andrews urges hope in rare message for parkinson’s disease event
The actress delivered a rare video message supporting global efforts to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease
Dame Julie Andrews has made a rare public appearance, lending her voice in support of global efforts to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease during a message for the World Parkinson’s Congress.
The 90-year-old actress, beloved worldwide for iconic roles in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, appeared in a video message shared by the World Parkinson Coalition on YouTube, where she addressed attendees and spoke about the importance of ongoing research and awareness.
“Good evening, everyone, I’m Julie Andrews and I’m pleased to welcome you to the seventh World Parkinson’s Congress,” she said in the clip.
“Your participation is invaluable as we seek to find a cure to this terrible disease. I know well how devastating it can be.”
She added a message of encouragement for those involved in the global effort: “May we all become a beacon of light to stop it in its tracks. Count me in as a red thread. Thank you.”
Andrews’ appearance marks a rare public contribution from the legendary performer, who has largely stepped back from the spotlight in recent years while continuing select creative projects.
She rose to international fame with her Academy Award-winning performance in Mary Poppins, later winning a Golden Globe for The Sound of Music.
Her career later spanned generations, including a memorable role as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries films.
More recently, Andrews earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for her narration role as Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton, a performance she recorded remotely without ever meeting the cast in person.
Beyond acting, Andrews has remained active in writing and literary projects. She and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton are set to collaborate on a reissue of their children’s book The Great American Mousical, a project that has been especially meaningful following Andrews’ throat surgery in 1997, which ended her singing career.
Despite that setback, she has previously spoken about finding creative purpose in writing and collaboration, describing it as a source of renewal and joy in her later years.
