Country icon Dolly Parton has been dishing on her recent health hiccups, reassuring fans she's on the mend just in time for her big 8-0. After postponing shows and sparking worry, the Queen of Country is back to her witty self, proving age is just a number—or in her case, a reason to slow down but not stop.
Oh, Dolly, you had us all clutching our pearls! Back in September 2025, the legend announced she'd be postponing her Las Vegas residency due to some 'health challenges' that required a few procedures. 'I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,' she wrote on Instagram. '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.' Ever the firecracker, she quipped, '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!' 😏
The drama ramped up in October when her sister Freida hit Facebook, begging 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... 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.' Freida quickly backpedaled, saying she 'didn’t mean to scare anyone'—it was just a little under-the-weather vibe, nothing dire.
Dolly shut down the rumors herself with a sassy X video on October 8: 'I ain’t dead yet!' Peeking at the camera in her signature glam, she declared, 'Do I look sick to you?!' and added, 'I’m OK. I’ve got some problems, as I mentioned... I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working.' She even skipped a November Hall of Fame nod, apologizing via video for needing to 'take it easy.'
Fast-forward to January 2026, and Dolly's celebrating her 80th birthday on the 19th—though she skipped her own party, fans. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee proclaimed it 'Dolly Parton Day,' and she's not hanging up her rhinestones: '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.' On turning 80? She wisely shrugged, 'Not that anybody would want to celebrate that.' So, is Dolly just getting her sparkle back, or is there more tea brewing? 👀
