Neil Young’s Children & Their Heartbreaking Health Struggles

Many are familiar with his music, but few are aware of the poignant story behind Neil Young’s children and the health challenges they faced.

Neil Young stands as one of the most revered and iconic musicians, his work providing the soundtrack for the 60s and 70s. His powerful and introspective lyrics continue to resonate with audiences, underscoring the personal trials he has experienced off-stage.

Despite his successful career, Neil Young’s life has been marked by considerable personal challenges, from health issues in his youth and a series of family crises to life-threatening incidents.

This article delves into the poignant struggles faced by Neil Young’s children and their significant health issues. These challenges have undoubtedly influenced his worldview and are reflected in the evocative lyrics of many of his songs.

Neil has three children. A son, Zeke, to his early girlfriend Carrie Snodgress; and both a son, Ben, and daughter, Amber, to his first wife Pegi Norton.

Tragically all three of Young’s children were born with or developed significant health issues, including cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

Zeke Young is Neil Young’s eldest son, born to his first significant partner, actress Carrie Snodgress, in 1972. Zeke was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth. Neil and Carrie, who met in 1970, lived together on his Northern California ranch until their separation in 1975.

According to Carrie Snodgress, Neil’s increasing absences from home ultimately led to him asking Carrie and Zeke to leave the ranch. Following their departure, Carrie and Zeke moved between various rental homes until finally receiving a permanent home and child support.

Throughout Zeke’s childhood, his contact with Neil was minimal, leading to a strained relationship. By 1983, Neil’s child support payments became irregular, prompting Snodgress to successfully sue for consistent support. Neil now pays $10,000 monthly in child support, though the current state of his relationship with Zeke remains uncertain, including whether there are lingering resentments.

Ben Young, Neil’s first son with his second wife, Pegi Norton, was born around 1978, shortly after the couple’s marriage. Pegi, a waitress Neil fell deeply in love with, married him in 1978. Like his half-brother, Ben was diagnosed with cerebral palsy early in life. His condition is more severe, having developed into quadriplegia due to spinal damage, significantly impairing his mobility and sensory functions.

However, quite unlike his relationship with Zeke, Neil Young continues to spend much time with Ben even to this very day.

Right from the very start Ben and Neil remained very close, with Ben attending many of his father’s concerts.

In fact, even to this day, Ben Young continues to be in attendance at his father’s concerts and remains close to his father all throughout the touring process.

Neil has stated that his son Ben helps to keep him strong even in the toughest times.

Neil famously said: “Ben has taught me you never give up. You can’t say ‘This is too hard.’” Despite Ben’s debilitating condition, he still continues to live a very happy life, which helps to keep his father grounded.

Because of his strong relationship with his son Ben, Neil Young and his late wife founded the Bridge School in 1986, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness to children with learning difficulties or physical impairments.

Amber Young – Neil Young’s Daughter To Pegi Norton

Amber Jean Young was born in 1984. Unlike both her brother and her half-brother, however, Amber Young did not find herself developing cerebral palsy. However, she does still live with epilepsy.

This has not stopped Amber from living a full life, she is now a successful artist in her own right and has regular exhibits in well-respected galleries around the world.

Neil Young is also noted to have suffered from epilepsy throughout his life, having been diagnosed in 1966. This obviously affected his ability to perform live, given his propensity to seizures. Though he never had an episode on stage, there were several times when he recognised the warning signs and had to walk off stage mid-performance.

Dealing With Family Heartache

Sadly, Neil Young has faced a very difficult and rocky life, even despite having numerous successes in the music industry and cementing himself as a rock icon. All three of his children have been born with debilitating conditions of varying severity.

However, despite these difficulties, Neil Young has proven to have a very strong mental fortitude and a desire to love his children as best he possibly can.

Ben Young continues to be a very strong inspiration for Neil every single day, and the two get along wonderfully, and Amber Young has professed that Neil is the biggest fan of her art.

While his relationship with his eldest son Zeke may be strained, the two still remain in contact.