'It changed my life for the better': Joni Mitchell opens up about health struggles at major awards ceremony

She nearly lost the ability to walk, talk and play music – but Joni Mitchell says it changed her life for the better.

At the 2026 Juno Awards, often referred to as the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys, the musician was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Taking the stage to a standing ovation, the 82-year-old accepted the award from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, before reflecting on the brain aneurysm that forced her to relearn basic skills from scratch.

Watch the video above.

"I want to thank the Junos for this great honour. I really appreciate it. I'm so glad to be back in Canada," the singer, who grew up in Saskatoon, said.

"Some years ago – 10 or 12 years ago, I forget how long ago – I had an aneurysm, which changed my life, oddly, for the better."

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Mitchell experienced a coma after the aneurysm, but it brought a lot of change to her life. It put an end to her smoking, and in her speech, she spoke about how the nurses and therapists who cared for her have become an important part of her daily life.

"My home's filled up with the most wonderful nurses. I was on the road with men for years and years and years, now I live with a house full of women, and I have a fantastic therapist [who] goes everywhere with me," she said.

"So my life has changed for the better out of a catastrophe, like a phoenix who grows a better life."

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During her speech, Mitchell turned to Carney with a pointed aside that drew a reaction from the room.

"We are so fortunate to have him," she said. "I'm living in the States, and you know what's happening there."

Mitchell has long woven political commentary into her music, and in recent years, she's become even more outspoken, openly criticising Donald Trump.

Though she didn't linger on politics, instead, she shifted the mood by pointing out her dress – printed with the word "happy" in Chinese – and explained she was "happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy" to be there alongside him.

As the night continued, attention returned to her music.

Sarah McLachlan began the tribute with A Case of You, followed by Allison Russell joining in for Both Sides Now.

The performances built to Mitchell's own return to the stage, where she closed the night with an iconic rendition of Big Yellow Taxi.

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