Dolly Parton Responds To Concerned Fans, Sets The Record Straight On Her Health

Country music fans can take a breath because Dolly Parton herself, has come out to say that she is doing okay and still staying busy even while taking a step back from her work to prioritize her health.

Sitting in front of a green screen, the “9 To 5” singer took a break from filming some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry to give her fans an update on what’s really been going on behind the scenes.

“I want to say something. Well, today’s October the eighth, and obviously I’m here doing some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry, which is why I’m dressed kind of like a country western girl,” she began. “But before I got started, I wanted to say, I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here. Anyway, I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease. Those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate, and I appreciate your prayers because I’m a person of faith, I can always use the prayers for anything and everything, but I want you to know that I’m okay.”

Dolly,79, went on to admit that she is dealing with some health problems that she had put off for some time while caring for her husband, Carl, who she says was “very sick” prior to his passing on March 3, 2025. Following his death, she says, “I didn’t take care of myself. So I let a lot of things go that I should have been taken care of.”

Now, she is taking the necessary time to prioritize her health and revealed that the reason for her recent cancelations is because she needs to be close to Vanderbilt hospital while undergoing some treatments.

“So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, ‘we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that.’ Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt, where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there. But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying,” Dolly added, assuring fans that she is not slowing down yet.

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She even joked about a few of the AI generated photos she has seen surface online, showcasing fake images of her on her “deathbed” with Reba McEntire by her side that made it seem like she was in very bad health.

“We both looked like we need to be buried, but I thought, oh my Lord. But if I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my death bed. She might come visit me earlier, but anyway, there’s just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay.”

Dolly left fans with a final vote of confidence as she stated, “I am not ready to die yet.”

“I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring and keep praying for me,” she added in conclusion.

The rumors of Dolly’s declining health were elevated yesterday when her sister, Freida Parton, shared an emotional post on Facebook asking for prayers for the country icon. She admitted to spending the night praying for Dolly and asked other “prayer warriors” around the world to join her in sending her sister positivity.

“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately,” she wrote. “I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me. She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

Shortly after, Freida took to the same verified Facebook account, which identifies her as “Freida Parton, twin sister of Floyd Parton and sister to Dolly Parton,” to clarify that Dolly is okay and simply needed a little extra support.

“I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” she explained. “She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”

This message was especially alarming to fans especially since it came just days after Dolly Parton announced that she would be postponing her Las Vegas concerts. These shows were originally set to take place in early December. At the time, she explained that this decision was made due to recent “health challenges.” 

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On September 28, Dolly shared that she’s set to undergo “a few procedures,” which will prevent her from having enough time to prepare for her Las Vegas shows. As a result, the concerts have been postponed until September 2026.

Her message to fans read: 

“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts. As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my hundred thousand mile checkup, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon! In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you. Well I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready as they say. And don’t worry about me quitting the music business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe he is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding.” 

On top of the Vegas shows, Dolly Parton was also recently forced to miss an appearance at Dollywood after revealing she was dealing with a painful kidney stone that led to an infection. 

“Turned out it’d given me an infection,” she told fans in a video message. “And the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better.’” 

It’s still unclear what kind of ongoing health challenges Dolly is facing, however per today’s statement, fans can rest easy knowing that the queen of country music isn’t going anywhere just yet.