Country legend Alan Jackson's disease and the truth about his Charcot-Marie-Tooth
Country legend Alan Jackson's disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, is a hereditary nerve disorder that affects muscle strength and balance. He publicly revealed his diagnosis in 2021, explaining its progressive nature and how it has gradually impacted his ability to walk and perform.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Doctors diagnosed Alan Jackson with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease in 2011, but he publicly revealed his condition in 2021.
- While the illness makes stage performances difficult, CMT does not affect his vocal cords.
- In May 2025, Jackson adapted to the condition by sitting on stage, with fans noting visible challenges in walking and stamina.
- Alan's wife, Denise Jackson, survived colorectal cancer in 2010, and the couple has supported each other through their health struggles.
Alan Jackson's profile summary
Full name | Alan Eugene Jackson |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | 17 October 1958 |
Age | 66 years old (as of September 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Libra |
Place of birth | Newnan, Georgia, USA |
Current residence | Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Height in feet | 6'4" |
Height in centimetres | 193 |
Weight in pounds | 192 |
Weight in kilograms | 87 |
Hair colour | Blond |
Eye colour | Blue |
Mother | Ruth Musick "Mama Ruth" Jackson |
Father | Joseph Eugene "Daddy Gene" Jackson |
Siblings | Four |
Sexuality | Straight |
Marital status | Married |
Wife | Denise Jackson |
Children | Three |
School | Elm Street Elementary and Newnan High School |
Profession | Singer, songwriter |
Net worth | $150 million |
X (Twitter) |
The truth about Alan Jackson's disease
Country singer Alan Jackson suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a debilitating and progressive genetic neuropathy. Doctors diagnosed him in 2011, but he revealed the truth about his illness to the public in September 2021 during an interview with Today.
Source: Original
Jackson explained that the symptoms were becoming more pronounced, and he wanted to clarify why his balance and movement appeared to be affected in stage performances.
I have this neuropathy and neurological disease. It's genetic that I inherited from my daddy ... There's no cure for it, but it's been affecting me for years. And it's getting more obvious. And I know I'm stumbling around on stage. And now I'm having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I feel very uncomfortable.
He continued:
It's not going to kill me. It's not deadly. But it's related to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease.
According to The Johns Hopkins University, Alan Jackson's illness can be explained as an inherited nerve problem. It is a group of genetic disorders that damage the peripheral nerves, which transmit signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body.
The illness results from a gene problem inherited from one or both parents, and there is no known cure. However, treatments can manage the symptoms.
How is Alan Jackson's disease affecting his singing?
Source: Getty Images
Alan Jackson's Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease primarily affects his balance and mobility, not his vocal cords. However, it still impacts his stage performance and comfort while singing.
Is Alan Jackson performing in a wheelchair?
As of writing, there is no evidence that Alan has used a wheelchair during performances. During his final road show in Milwaukee on 17 May 2025, Jackson performed while seated, adapting to the physical limitations caused by his illness.
At Opry 100: A Live Celebration in March 2025, he also appeared on stage, visibly affected by the condition, but he performed standing.
Alan and Denise Jackson: standing together through illness and recovery
Source: Getty Images
Denise Jackson, Alan's wife of over four decades, has been a steady presence throughout his life and career. The couple met as teenagers in Newnan, Georgia, and married in December 1979.
In 2010, doctors diagnosed Denise with colorectal cancer, a shock given her active lifestyle and clean bill of health until then. She revealed to Coping:
When I found out it was squamous cell carcinoma, to say that it was the shock of my life is an understatement. I eat a healthy diet. I exercise. I never dreamed that a doctor would tell me that I had cancer.
She received the news while celebrating their anniversary in Florida and immediately returned to Nashville for treatment. Alan stood by her side throughout, later saying:
It made me realise how important it is to have someone there to walk with you through something like this. It was the first time I felt like I was living out the phrase in our wedding vows, 'for better or for worse.'
One year later, in 2011, Alan faced his own diagnosis, with symptoms emerging years later. Denise has remained his closest support, accompanying him through public appearances.
Source: Getty Images
FAQs
- What disease does Alan Jackson have? The old country singer has Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a hereditary, degenerative nerve condition.
- What is Alan Jackson's new diagnosis? As of September 2025, Alan Jackson has not received a new diagnosis. The health issue he continues to manage is Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.
- Why is Alan Jackson quitting singing? Jackson is not quitting singing entirely, but he has retired from touring due to the effects of his degenerative nerve condition.
- Did Alan Jackson have surgery recently? The country singer reportedly underwent surgery for his condition in mid-2025, but details remain undisclosed.
- What does Alan Jackson look like now? At age 66, Alan maintains his signature look: tall frame, cowboy hat, and Southern charm. He appeared publicly at the 2025 ACM Awards and his final tour shows, where he performed seated or with support due to his condition.
- What causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease? Genetic mutations that damage peripheral nerves are responsible for CMT disease. These mutations affect either the axon or the myelin sheath, disrupting nerve signals between the brain and limbs.
- Who are Alan Jackson's daughters? The singer has three daughters: Mattie Denise Jackson, Alexandra Jane Jackson Bradshaw, and Dani Grace Jackson.
- How rich is Alan Jackson? He is a multi-millionaire with an alleged net worth of $150 million as of 2025.
Country legend Alan Jackson's disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, is a progressive nerve condition that affects balance and mobility. He inherited it from his father and was diagnosed in 2011, later revealing it publicly in 2021. Though not life-threatening, the disorder has made performing increasingly difficult.
Yen.com.gh published a similar article about Brad Paisley's wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Known for her roles in Father of the Bride and Nashville, Kimberly has also become a vocal advocate for neurological health.
Her battle with Parkinson's disease-related vocal issues has sparked interest in her personal journey and resilience. Many fans are curious to know more about her diagnosis and its impact on her career.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
