Michael J. Fox has opened up about the reality of his marriage to Tracy Pollan, describing how they lead 'separate lives' as he continues to live with Parkinson's disease. The Back to the Future star, now 64, was diagnosed at 29, just a few years after marrying Tracy in 1988.
In an interview on CBS Mornings, Fox said: 'I love Tracy. She’s an amazing person. But she has a life separate from me having Parkinson's.' He acknowledged that her ability to maintain her own identity has helped sustain their relationship through challenging times.
The couple, who share four children, have faced the uncertainty of the disease together from the start. Fox admitted he had no idea what to expect, but said Tracy has stuck with him through sickness. 'We knew the bus was coming, but we didn't know when or how fast it was coming before it hit us,' he said.
Fox has become a prominent advocate for Parkinson's research, raising more than $2 billion through his foundation. He retired from full-time acting in 2020 but continues to make select appearances, such as a recent role in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking.
In April 2026, Fox was forced to deny rumours of his death after CNN mistakenly published an article titled 'Remembering the life of actor Michael J. Fox'. His representative confirmed he is alive and well, and CNN later apologised for the error.
Despite the challenges, Fox emphasises gratitude and humour. His wife Tracy told Oprah: 'A lot of my adjustment has been dictated by Michael's point of view. He's so relaxed and accepting of where he is, and that makes it easier for me, the kids, and everyone around him.'
