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Michael J. Fox on Blowing Past His Parkinson’s Disease Prognosis from 1998: 'You Can Do Anything'

Michael J. Fox first shared his Parkinson's disease diagnosis with PEOPLE in 1998. At the time, his doctor was 'hopeful' the 'Family Ties' and 'Back to the Future' star would 'be functional for at least another 10 years.' In honor of PEOPLE's 50th anniversary, Fox looks back at that time.

In 1998, the beloved actor shared his Parkinson's disease diagnosis with the world in an unforgettable PEOPLE magazine cover story. In the piece, he shared that he was diagnosed in 1991 and spoke openly about his symptoms from the incurable degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. The organization has raised nearly two billion dollars to date in its quest for a cure for the disease — and they've made significant advancements: In 2023, they found a biomarker that can help determine if people have Parkinson's before symptoms start.

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