Why Alan Jackson Kept His Health Issues A Secret For Years?

Highlights

  • Alan Jackson, a country song legend, bravely printed his struggle with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.
  • Despite his health struggles, Jackson continues to excursion and make music.
  • Jackson's collaboration with the CMT Research Foundation presentations his dedication to elevating finances for research and treatment of CMT.

Alan Jackson's undying attraction as a nation music legend units him except for today's renowned country musicians, including Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, and Blake Shelton.

Jackson amassed an impressive $150 million net worth, attributed to his songwriting credits, 21-album discography, a successful duet with Jimmy Buffett on "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," and a lot of a success excursions. However, after hiding his health issues from the public for over a decade, Jackson published that he have been combating with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disorder (CMT), a rare genetic disorder.

Alan Jackson Hid His Debilitating Health Condition To Protect His Privacy

Alan Jackson unfolded about his long-term health struggles throughout an interview with TODAY in 2021. He revealed that he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a degenerative nerve situation. Jackson spoke about how the situation has affected his talent to walk, causing him to stumble around on stage and have trouble balancing.

A decade ago, Jackson gained a analysis of CMT. He has been managing this situation for several years, but he determined to openly talk about his analysis due to its growing visible progression. Jackson shared that this genetic disorder impacts no longer handiest him but additionally his sister, father, and grandmother.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, CMT in particular impacts the smaller muscular tissues within the body's extremities. As a consequence, individuals would possibly revel in difficulties with steadiness, but this sickness does no longer impact existence expectancy, and it may be controlled with supportive therapy.

Alan Jackson's Personal Information

Full Name

Alan Eugene Jackson

Birthdate

October 17, 1958

Birthplace

Newnan, Georgia

Parents

Eugene Jackson

Ruth Jackson

Siblings

Diane

Cathy and Carol (twins)

Connie

Wife

Denise Jackson (married - December 15, 1979)

Daughters

Mattie Denise (born - June 1990)

Alexandra "Ali" Jane (born - August 1993)

Dani Grace (born - August 1997)

As his health situation worsened, Jackson found make stronger from his daughters and wife of 41 years, Denise Jackson. "When I'm down, he lifts me up. When he's down, I try to lift him up," Denise defined to TODAY. "The happy side of that is we've had a fairy-tale life."

Related
Are Phil Collins' Genesis Bandmates Heartbroken Over His Ailing Health?

After years of performing in combination, Phil Collins' Genesis bandmates have reacted to his severe health struggle.

Jackson also discussed that he has been reluctant to speak about his diagnosis publicly as a result of he did not need fans to assume he was retiring. Jackson clarified that he plans to continue traveling so long as his frame permits him to.

In 2022, he did a 16-stop tour, "Last Call: One More For The Road," but had to reschedule one display as a result of he examined positive for COVID-19.

Alan Jackson Supported Health Research For Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Disease

In March 2022, the CMT Research Foundation reported its collaboration with Alan Jackson’s "Last Call: One More for the Road Tour" to boost price range for finding therapies for Charcot-Marie-Tooth illness (CMT).

The disease is estimated to affect about 150,000 other folks in the U.S. and virtually 3 million worldwide, with out a treatment or licensed therapies yet. The CEO of the CMT Research Foundation, Cleary Simpson expressed gratitude for the partnership and fundraising efforts of Jackson.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Disease Information

Name Origin (1886)

Jean-Martin Charcot, MD

Pierre Marie, MD

Howard Henry Tooth, MD

Affected Areas

Peripheral Nervous System - brain and spinal nerves

Cause

Genetic mutation from one or each folks

Symptoms

Leg and foot muscle weakness

Foot deformities

Foot drop

Numbness, tingling, burning sensations in fingers and toes

Diagnostic Procedures

Blood take a look at for gene defects

Nerve conduction research

Electromyography

Nerve biopsy

Complications

At possibility for falls

Muscle atrophy

Unnoticed accidents and infections of the toes

Jackson announced on his authentic website that for each ticket sold, $1 was donated to the CMT Research Foundation, for its research and drug building, with a workforce of supporters and board participants matching price tag consumers' donations.

Related
Was Karen Carpenter's Husband Aware Of The Secret Health Issues That Led To Her Death?

Music legend Karen Carpenter passed away after a brave combat with anorexia nervosa, here's if her husband knew of her personal struggles.

"It will take money, awareness, collaborative scientists, and state-of-the-art technology to advance drug discovery for this disease. At the CMT Research Foundation, our clinicians and scientific advisors are optimistic that we are closer than ever before to a therapeutic breakthrough for CMT," Pat Livney, co-founder and chairman mentioned within the document.

Alan Jackson Continued To Perform And Make Music Despite His Health Issues

Alan Jackson is known for protecting conventional nation tune alive, even supposing he was forced to fake one of his live performances at an awards show. Jackson reflected on his career and expressed pride at attaining a level where he may just solely create the type of song he desired.

"I've always believed that the music is the most important thing. The songs. And I guess that's what I'd like to (leave) if I had a legacy. I've had a wonderful, beautiful life. I've been so blessed. It's just good to put it out there in the open. In some ways, it's a relief," Jackson instructed TODAY.

Alan Jackson's Country Music Inductions:

  • Country Music Hall of Fame
  • Songwriters Hall of Fame
  • NSAI Songwriters Hall of Fame

In an interview on his daughter Mattie Jackson's podcast in February 2023, Jackson shared his intention to unlock new track because of his ingenious impulses. When his daughter requested about the opportunity of some other album, Jackson affirmed his steady engagement with music concepts and melodies and teased the possibility of new music.

Alan Jackson's List of Awards from his legit website:

  • 19 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards
  • 16 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards
  • 2 Grammy Awards
  • 58 American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) Awards
  • 12 Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Awards
  • 2 American Music Awards
  • 3 Billboard Awards
  • 6 Music City News Songwriters Awards
  • 1 Nashville Music Award
  • Five R&R Readers' Poll Awards
  • 2 SRO Awards
  • 29 TNN/CMT/Country Weekly Awards
  • 1 ACA Hitmaker Award
  • 1 Blockbuster Entertainment Award
  • 2 Christian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards
  • 1 Inspirational Country Music (ICM) Award
  • 1 CMT Flameworthy Music Video Award
  • 4 Country Weekly Fan Favorite Awards
  • 1 Gospel Music Association Dove Award
  • 1 Country Music Channel Australia (CMC) Award

Jackson stated during his acceptance of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 56th Annual CMA Awards:

"Country music has been real good to me and I fell in love with it when I was a young man."

Despite grappling with health challenges, Jackson remained in excellent health. "I never wanted to do the big retirement tour, like people do, then take a year off and then come back," he defined. "I think that's kinda cheesy. And I'm not saying I won't be able to tour. I'll try to do as much as I can."

Related
Dolly Parton Has Been Plagued By Health Issue Rumors And Death Hoaxes, Here's Whether She's Really Sick

Dolly Parton's a hit occupation used to be pestered with baseless health rumors and false death stories.

Even with his a success occupation, Jackson revealed that he is still impressed through overdue nation music legends like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, and Charlie Pride.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGiuobFdlrmiuoyjmJyjo6S7brfEqatmoJWWubW0jKKqrK2VqHq0scKrnK1n