Dolly Parton opens up about 'hard times' with her health in candid update
Dolly Parton has spoken candidly about the health problems she has been dealing with, admitting she has been through some ‘hard times’ while reassuring fans that she is still keeping busy.
The 80-year-old country music icon has faced several setbacks over the past year, which have resulted in her cancelling or missing a number of appearances.
Most recently, Parton was unable to attend the opening of NightFlight Expedition, the latest ride at her Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, after her doctors advised her against travelling.
She instead appeared in a video for the Aug. 14 event, explaining that she had been struggling with dizziness and dehydration.
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The latest absence came after months of concern surrounding the Jolene singer’s health, particularly after she previously postponed a Las Vegas residency and revealed she needed treatment.
Now, Parton has shared more about what has been going on behind the scenes, including how caring for her late husband Carl Thomas Dean affected her own wellbeing.
Speaking to People, she said: “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.”
Dean, who was married to Parton for almost six decades, died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
The singer admitted she has experienced similar struggles before, recalling being ‘down for several months with female issues’ during the early 1980s.
Parton said: “It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health”
“But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago.
“I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”
That determination to keep working appears to be very much intact, with Parton continuing to juggle several upcoming projects despite her recent health troubles.
She revealed that she and her team are in the ‘early stages of development’ on potential ‘avatar performances’, which could offer fans another way of experiencing her music.
Parton is also preparing to open the Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville, which is set to celebrate her life and career alongside her new SongTeller Hotel.
Her latest update follows previous efforts to calm speculation around her health.
Last year, after her sister Freida publicly asked fans to pray for her, Parton addressed the growing concern herself.
She said at the time: “Do I look sick to you? I'm working hard here!”
She later insisted: “I'm not ready to die yet, I don't think God is through with me - and I ain't done working!”
Topics: Dolly Parton, Entertainment, Celebrity
Ben Williams