Woody Guthrie, the influential American folk singer and songwriter, suffered from Huntington's disease, a genetic neurodegenerative disorder he inherited from his mother. His condition began to manifest in the 1950s with symptoms such as erratic behavior, slurred speech, and emotional outbursts, which were initially mistaken for alcoholism
. In 1956, Guthrie was hospitalized at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey due to the progression of Huntington's disease. During his time there, he lost the ability to speak and control his muscles, eventually communicating only through "yes" and "no" cards made by his wife Marjorie. Despite his physical decline, his mind remained intact for some time
. Guthrie spent the last years of his life in various medical facilities, finally settling at Creedmoor State Hospital in Queens, New York. He died on October 3, 1967, at the age of 55 from complications related to Huntington's disease
. After his death, his wife Marjorie became an advocate for Huntington's disease research and founded the Committee to Combat Huntington Disease (later the Huntington's Disease Society of America), which supports affected families and funds research
. Woody Guthrie's legacy lives on through his music and influence on artists like Bob Dylan, who visited him during his illness and honored him through song
