Despite reports suggesting that her health had deteriorated, iconic singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is apparently not in a coma. TMZ reported on Tuesday afternoon that the 71 year old’s health had taken a turn for the worse after a lengthy stay in hospital, and that she was completely unresponsive and unable to take care of herself.

Leslie Morris, her close friend of 44 years, was reported to have filed documents to obtain legal conservatorship over her, but her official website said "she comprehends, she's alert and she has her full senses. A full recovery is expected." The documents simply relate to the power to make care decisions in the absence of 24-hour medical care once she's out of hospital.

Joni MitchellJoni Mitchell was hospitalised at the end of March [Getty/Frederick M. Brown]

Until this statement was released, the last official update on her condition had been via her website on April 3rd. It read: “Joni remains under observation in the hospital and is resting comfortably. Her progress is encouraging as she continues to improve each day.”

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Mitchell was rushed to hospital on March 31st after being found unconscious at her home in Los Angeles. She has been in the UCLA Medical Center since then, but reports a few days after her hospitalisation suggested that she was recovering.

No official diagnosis of her condition has yet been revealed. She has suffered health problems in the past, notably from the medical mystery Morgellons Disease, whose symptoms include lesions and irritations underneath the skin. In addition, she has been a smoker throughout pretty much her entire adult life, which according to her has “robbed me of my voice”.

Mitchell has won eight Grammy Awards throughout her career, which includes 19 studio albums spanning from her 1968 debut to 2007’s Shine. Her 1971 album Blue reached platinum status in America, and is frequently listed among the greatest albums of all time. Her most famous songs include ‘Big Yellow Taxi’, ‘Both Sides, Now’ and ‘Help Me’.

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