At 79, the American country music star has spoken out to calm growing concerns about her health after canceling several engagements. A direct and humorous clarification.
Serial cancellations and growing concerns
Dolly Parton herself has responded to the many rumors circulating about her health. The singer, who was scheduled to perform in Las Vegas in December 2025, recently announced the postponement of these dates to September 2026. Officially, the decision was motivated by health concerns, with no further details provided. Her announced absence from the Honorary Academy Awards ceremony, where she was scheduled to perform on November 17, only fueled the speculation.
The situation took on another dimension when her sister, Freida Parton, posted a message on Facebook asking fans to "pray" for her, stating that she had spent the night praying at her bedside. This message, interpreted by many as a warning sign, sparked strong emotion among the singer's fans.
A frank and soothing answer
Faced with the media frenzy and the concerns of her fans, Dolly Parton spoke out in person in a video posted to Instagram on October 8. Smiling at the camera, between two shoots, she wanted to put an end to the rumors: "I'm fine, I'm not dying." She clarified that she is undergoing certain treatments after having somewhat neglected her health in recent months, particularly since the death of her husband Carl Dean, which occurred in March 2025.
The singer explains that she preferred to stay close to home and her medical team. "Nothing serious," she assured, while acknowledging that she had to deal with "a few health issues" that had been left aside. Finally, with her legendary self-deprecation, she concluded: "I don't think God is done with me. And I'm not done working either."
