Celebrity3 min(s) read
Dolly Parton shares candid health update in first major public appearance in months
Dolly Parton has updated her fans on her health after she faced some medical concerns at the end of last year.
The legendary country singer, 80, sparked fears for her health after she was forced to cancel her December Las Vegas residency due to medical issues.
Dolly told fans at the time: "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.”
Despite the serious nature of the news, the 'Jolene' singer couldn’t resist adding her signature humor, joking with her medical team that it must be time for her “100,000 mile check-up”, though she quipped it might just be another trip to her plastic surgeon.
She added: "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.”
The Tennessee-born star was quick to reassure fans that this isn’t a sign of retirement as she would be working on other projects from her Nashville home: “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the 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."
Dolly's sister, Freida Parton, sparked further worries after she asked fans to pray for the singer, however, Dolly was quick to reassure them that she was doing OK.
Now, Dolly has finally made her first major public appearance at Dollywood on Friday, March 13, where she updated her fans about her wellbeing and the grief of losing her beloved husband, Carl Dean.
She told the crowds, as reported by WVLT8: "I’ve not been touring, as you know. I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.
"I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on. I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn’t slow me down."
Dolly had also previously told her fans she'd been having issues with kidney stones in September 2025, and had postponed some shows to focus on her health.