Julie Andrews, 90, Makes Rare Appearance for Parkinson’s Event

Julie Andrews is still here. And she still commands a room — even when she’s not physically in it.

The 90-year-old Oscar winner resurfaced over the weekend in a video message for the 7th World Parkinson’s Congress in Phoenix, Arizona, marking her first public appearance in approximately three years.

“Good evening, everyone. I’m Julie Andrews, and I’m pleased to welcome you to the 7th World Parkinson’s Congress,” she said in the video, wearing a light blue sweater and a long gold chain. “Your participation is invaluable as we seek to find a cure to this terrible disease.”

It was brief. It was warm. And for fans who haven’t seen the Sound of Music and Mary Poppins star in public since 2023, it was enough to take a breath.

A Quiet Retreat

Andrews has largely stepped away from public life in recent years. She lost her singing voice after a throat surgery in 1997 — a loss she’s spoken about with remarkable grace — and has been selective about appearances since. Her last major public outing was in 2023.

But the cause clearly mattered to her. The World Parkinson’s Congress brings together researchers, patients, caregivers, and advocates from around the globe, and Andrews used her platform to underscore how much the work means.

At 90, she remains one of the most beloved performers alive — a woman whose voice defined childhood for generations, even after the voice itself was taken from her. Seeing her on screen again, even briefly, was a reminder that some presences don’t fade.