UPDATE: Country music legend Dolly Parton has reassured fans about her health in a candid video posted on Wednesday, following rising concerns about her well-being. The 79-year-old star addressed her followers directly, stating emphatically, “I ain’t dead yet!”
Just hours after her sister Freida Parton urged fans for prayers due to Dolly’s “health challenges,” the country icon took to X to quell fears. Freida’s post, shared more than 21,000 times, raised alarms about Dolly’s health, especially after she recently postponed her Las Vegas tour.
In the two-minute video, Parton explained that while she has been experiencing “some problems,” they are not as severe as many believe. “I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you?” she asked, highlighting her ongoing work filming promotional videos for the Grand Ole Opry.
Parton revealed that she has been following her doctor’s advice and staying close to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for medical treatments, including addressing issues related to kidney stones. She expressed gratitude for fans’ concern and prayers, saying, “I wanted you to know that I’m not dying… I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working.”
Despite not disclosing the full extent of her medical issues, a representative previously informed the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the singer is awaiting surgery for kidney stones. “It’s just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those,” the representative explained.
Dolly Parton, who has not toured since her “Pure & Simple Tour” concluded in 2016, missed a recent announcement at her theme park, Dollywood, citing health reasons. “I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems,” she noted last month. “The doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute,’ so you need a few days to get better.”
Parton’s health has drawn significant attention, particularly following the death of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2023, at age 82. The couple had been married for nearly six decades.
As Dolly continues to manage her health, her message of resilience and appreciation for her fans resonates strongly. “So, I love you for caring and keep praying for me,” she concluded in her video.
Fans can expect to hear more updates from the beloved artist as she navigates this challenging time. For now, it’s clear: Dolly Parton is here to stay and ready to keep working.
