Dolly Parton Health Crisis: Family Speaks Out, Singer Refuses Public Appearances
Dolly Parton’s family is asking for prayers as the country music icon deals with undisclosed health issues, weeks after she canceled several scheduled appearances. These cancellations included a special attraction announcement at Dollywood and a concert series in Las Vegas.
Public concern first grew in mid-September when Dollywood announced that its Dreamer-In-Chief, Dolly Parton, would not attend the grand reveal of a new attraction at the Smoky Mountain theme park. Despite her absence, the park proceeded with the unveiling, revealing the NightFlight Expedition attraction, which is scheduled to debut in 2026.
Later, on September 29, Parton rescheduled her Las Vegas concert series from December 2025 to September 2026. In an Instagram post, she told fans:
“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 100,000-mile check-up, 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.”
Parton also announced she would not attend the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Award Ceremony in November in person. She will instead accept the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award virtually. Her management clarified that this decision was communicated at the time of the invitation due to a scheduling conflict and was not related to her health.
Following an outpouring of support from fans, Dolly’s sister, Freida Parton, shared a heartfelt message on Facebook asking for prayers:
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. 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!”
Hours later, Freida clarified that she did not mean to alarm fans:
“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’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.”
Dolly Parton and her family have not shared further details about the health concerns she is facing. In March, Parton lost her longtime husband, Carl Thomas Dean. Days after his death, she released the song “If You Hadn’t Been There” in his memory:
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. As all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”
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In 2016, the couple renewed their vows in Nashville to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Though Carl Dean remained famously private, he spoke with Entertainment Tonight at the time, recounting the moment he met Dolly:
“My first thought was ‘I’m gonna marry that girl.’ My second thought was, ‘Lord she’s good lookin.’ And that was the day my life began.”
Parton often spoke of Dean as her biggest supporter:
“He’s always been my biggest fan behind the scenes, but he’s at home. I travel a lot, but we really enjoy each other when we’re together and the little things we do.”
Dolly Parton has no public appearances scheduled until her Dolly: Live in Las Vegas concert series in September 2026. However, she occasionally makes surprise visits to Dollywood during special events, including Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Have you ever visited Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain theme park, Dollywood? Disney Dining would love to hear your memories in the comments!
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