She's heavy because she's sedentary due to back pain. That's what she says. Could be she occassionally gives less-than-perfect performances because she's in pain. Linda R. has never been one to follow the crowd and I'm glad for her. I'd rather see her a little chubby than cut up from plastic surgery. Back in the day, she was everyone's Mexican wet dream. Soooo hot!

I think she's just too cute. Who cares if she's chubbed out. I happen to like chubby women, especially older chubby women...uh huh...LOL

No one looks like they did in their 20ties. Showing a picture of someone from their 20ties and then in their 70s is unfair.
Once a woman has menopause and passes 50 her looks change. This article is very hurtful and unfair .

So, they aged and put on some weight, just like normal people. Where's the story?

Lately, I've witnessed some pretty low moments from CNN and certain sites linked from CNN's site. This article is shameful.

"significant weight gain brought on in part by thyroid disease and her shift away from music-making to child-raising"

Give the lady a break. I'd like to see what you'd look like if you had thyroid disease!

I believe what you are seeing in these pictures is the normal process of aging. I think the author should be ashamed. And all of you who are laughing, let me tell you what...it won't be so funny when it happens to you.

Hey, we all looked better when we were younger n'est pas? I'm glad to see any of these celebs who choose to age in front of the camera rather than resort to surgery that makes them look like aliens. They have my total respect. I plan to do the same. It's the way nature intended.

My post regarding her performance at Sun City during Apartheid was removed - what's wrong Mother Nature Network - too afraid to tell the truth???

ps: i love how this is called the mother nature network!!! all this article does is point fingers at what mother nature does during the process of aging.

it should be called the plastic surgery network!!!!!

you really should be ashamed of publishing something so cruel!

these people have aged just like you and i have and will, IF we are lucky. some of these photos are from 50 years ago!!!

to put a person who has gained weight because of a medical disorder on this list is unforgivable.

you mean, refuse to support careers of folks who refuse to support your opinion.

Were you one of those baying for blood when the dixie chicks criticized george bush invading iraq? where is that baying mob now?

"still the greatest nation on earth" .... beware jingoism masquerading as patriotism

Were you one of those baying for blood when the dixie chicks criticized george bush for inventing WMDs as a pretext to invade iraq? where is that baying mob now? quietly pretending they were anti-invasion all along, probably.

"still the greatest nation on earth" .... beware jingoism masquerading as patriotism.

exactly!

Why do you refer to Michael Moore as a polarizing documentary filmmaker?

To me he is a brave truth provider of the highest caliber. His film on 911, for those fair minded enough to view it, explained the underhanded practices that allowed (or caused) the events that occurred on 911.

"Jane Fonda have discovered the fountain of youth in the form of political activism" Um... no. Jane Fonda's "fountain of youth" is plastic surgery, drugs, eating disorders, body dismorphia and an unhealthy obsession with a warped concept of perfection. Not something to which I aspire.

I was at te Aladdin concert and I didn't see anyone leave or hear the booing because the cheering was so loud. this is an awful article. bye.

And I was already thinking poorly about the hotel management, even if people did object to her stance-you don't eject someone from your hotel, someone YOU hired, for voicing their opinion. America is fading...

I think she looks FABULOUS!!!!! Sing on Woman!!

Linda rocked in the 70's and she rocks in 2012! Who hasn't gained weight, had some health issues as we age. SO WHAT! Looking forward to your book Linda.

I don't care what she looks like or how well she aged. She is one of the best female singers of the 20th century, I've always loved her singing in all genres. This lady has the pipes. I have a big collection of her music on cd and vinyl and I play her music all the time.

Mean people--I will always love her music.

I'll read the memoir when it comes out. Bet she's had an interesting life, and perspective on things.

I'm the same age as Jane Fonda - but she took much better care of herself, plus her family genetics probably play a part.

I've also gone from 5'6" to 5'4.5" - and at 21 was 110 lbs. People laughed at me for my 35-25-35 - and now I don't care what those folks think.

Yes, I went from flat to fluffy. My beloved husband thought me gorgeous! Yea!

Linda's career and eating habits were probably her downfall. So many things are in the mix for all of us.

She looks much younger than 65 in your photo, what are you talking about. You definitely have a bias against weight even if it isn't morbid obesity.

Cute then, cute now. How exactly has she not aged well?

It takes guts to take a public stand on something like that in 2004, when the rest of the country was stupified with fear mongering. Linda can sing, and can hold her head high knowing she did what she could.

I've seen and talked to her brother and he's a pretty good picker!