Julie Andrews, 90, resurfaces for first appearance in years

Julie Andrews, the 90-year-old Oscar-winning actress, made her first public appearance in more than three years at the seventh annual World Parkinson’s Congress. She delivered a video message to attendees, emphasizing the importance of finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease, which she described as devastating. Andrews expressed optimism, saying, 'May we all become a beacon of light to stop it in its track,' and added, 'Count me in as a red thread.' The message was filmed while she sat on a couch, dressed in a grey sweatshirt, white turtleneck, and gold jewelry. Her last in-person public appearance was in March 2023 at the taping of Carol Burnett’s TV special, *Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love*, which aired on NBC the following month. Andrews and Burnett, who have been friends for over 60 years, posed together for photos. Andrews wore a navy jacket with black-and-white beads and sequins, while Burnett wore a pink blazer. In May 2024, Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton, 63, appeared on *CBS News Sunday Morning* to promote their children’s audiobook, *Waiting in the Wings*. During the interview, Andrews discussed how the project helped her cope with losing her singing voice after a 1997 throat surgery. She shared that her daughter’s words, 'No, mum, you’ve just found another way of sharing your voice,' shifted her perspective and allowed her to move forward. Andrews has been a vocal advocate for Parkinson’s research, drawing from her own experiences and the impact of the disease. Her recent appearance highlights her continued engagement with public causes despite her age and health challenges.