Annette first noticed her MS symptoms in l987 when she was making the movie Back to the Beach, a friendly spoof of her early sand-and-surf films that received both public and critical acclaim. In l989, Annette did a year-long concert tour to cheering crowds with Frankie Avalon, her long time friend and movie co-star. Annette resides in California with her second husband Glen Holt, a race horse breeder.
Although Annette has been forced by the effects of this disease to retire from her stage and screen career, her indomitable spirit led her to found the popular Annette Funicello Collectible Bear Company, which is celebrating more than ten years in business. Annette's life story was both celebrated in a made-for TV movie, which was aired on Lifetime Television, and in her book, A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Hyperion, 1995).
"When the stories about my MS came out, everyone gave me their love and their prayers. I'm human, and sometimes I can't help but ask, 'Why Me?' But I believe everything happens for a reason, and I know now that my mission is to help others raise funds for MS. The more I read about MS, the more encouraged I am. When I wake up in the morning, I like to imagine, this is the day I'm going to hear about an MS cure on the news."
In 2002, Annette accepted the role of Ambassador for the Society's Walk MS event. She encouraged fans to form "Annie's Angels" Walk MS teams in her honor to help educate the public and heighten awareness about the problems and challenges of MS.