Dolly Parton, 79, breaks silence after health battle sparked worldwide concern: ‘I ain’t dead yet!’
Dolly Parton has broken her silence on her sister’s health condition, which has fans concerned after she asked for ‘prayers’ this week.
The 79-year-old country singer wore a red fringed shirt and black open-toe pants as she sat on a stool in front of a green screen to film a commercial for the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
The singer put fans’ fears aside, saying he was doing just fine: ‘I’m not dead yet!’ Parton also asked: ‘Do I look sick to you?’
The film icon added that he has some health ‘issues’ but they are being taken care of.
And she made a statement: Parton said her husband, Carl Dean, wasn’t paying enough attention to her when he died in March at age 82, but now he is.
And while the 9 to 5 actor said that he is definitely a fan of prayers and a ‘believer’, he assured fans that there is really no need for them to pray for his health.
Dolly Parton has broken her silence about her sister’s health condition, which caused fans concern after she asked for ‘prayers’ this week
The bombshell blonde from Tennesse started her video message by saying “there are a lot of rumors out there.”
Parton added, ‘Well, it’s October 8th and of course I’m here. …Do I look sick to you?… I just wanted to reassure anyone who seems really worried, I appreciate that – and I appreciate your prayers, because I am a person of faith, I can always use prayers for anything – but I want you to know that I am okay!
‘As I mentioned, I have some problems. ‘When my husband Carl was very ill – it was a long time – and he passed away I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I needed to take care of… nothing major but I had to cancel some things to be closer to home.’
Parton did not explain what ‘some treatments’ she had, but said the situation was not that serious.
‘I’m not dying!’ he added. ‘There are a lot of rumors floating around.
‘But I thought if you heard it from me, you’d know I’m okay. I’m not done yet; ‘I don’t think God is done with me, and I’m not done working.’
Earlier this week, Parton’s younger sister Stella opened up about the music icon’s mysterious health condition in a post defending her sister Freida.
Parton sparked worldwide concern when she announced during her upcoming Dolly: Live in Las Vegas residency that she was postponing six shows for herself, and her younger sister Freida shared an update that she spent “all night praying for my sister.”
The country singer wore a red fringed shirt and black pants as she sat on a stool in front of a green screen to film a Grand Ole Opry commercial.
The film icon added that he has some health ‘issues’ but they are being taken care of. And she made a statement: Parton said her husband, Carl Dean, didn’t pay enough attention to her when he died in March at the age of 82, but now
The singer put fans’ fears aside, saying he was doing just fine: ‘I’m not dead yet!’
Stella, 76, took to X to defend Freida’s post, detailing how the Jolene hitman battled kidney stones.
He wrote to
‘My sister Freida always worries when one of her siblings is not feeling well and asks for prayers on Dolly’s behalf. It is my job to love and respect their privacy as I expect them to do for me as both of their sisters.
‘Those of you who take it upon yourself to attack me for not being your personal information centre, you should check out their pages! Most fans are truly concerned, but some of you are crossing the line by disregarding my feelings for their well-being.
Parton’s younger sister Stella discussed the music icon’s mysterious health condition in a post defending her sister Freida
Parton’s sister Freida shared an update saying she was “praying for my sister all night”, sparking worldwide concern
‘My sister will share it with her fans whenever she wants, by the way, do not come to me with questions or insults.’
This comes after Parton’s representatives confirmed that the singer was not seriously ill after her family asked fans to send love and prayers to the country musician.
Dolly’s UK manager Olly Rowland confirmed that Freida’s post blew Dolly’s mystery illness out of proportion.
He explained: ‘It’s just kidney stones and the procedure he needs to dissolve them.
‘It looks like his sister posted and it’s weirdly blown out of proportion.’
Freida also shared an update on Facebook: ‘I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make the situation seem so serious.
‘He was in a bit of a bad situation and I just asked for prayers because I’m a big believer in the power of prayer.
‘It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her older sister. Thank you all for lifting him up. Your love really makes a difference.’
Now Stella, 76, is heading to X to defend Freida’s post, detailing how the 9to5 hitmaker battled kidney stones – a photo taken together in 1981
Dolly has previously suffered from kidney stones, both last month and in 2015.
On Tuesday night, Frieda told fans on Facebook: ‘Last night, I prayed all night for my sister Dolly.
‘Many of you know that he hasn’t been feeling well lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer and have been led to ask all the world who love me to become prayer warriors and pray with me.’
‘He is strong, he is loved,’ he continued. ‘And as prayers are said for him, I know in my heart that he will be okay. For God’s sake, sissy Dolly. We all love you!
Dolly announced on September 28 that she would be postponing her Las Vegas residency, which was originally scheduled to run from December 4 to December 13 at the Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace, until September 2026 due to ‘health issues’.
The star shared the news directly with her fans on Instagram, revealing that she was facing health issues that required her to undergo several medical procedures.
On Tuesday night, Frieda told fans on Facebook: ‘Last night, I prayed all night for my sister Dolly,’ causing concern among fans.
‘Many of you know that he hasn’t been feeling well lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer and have been led to ask all the world who love me to become prayer warriors and pray with me,” Freida wrote. Pictured (center) with Stella Parton (L) and Dolly Parton (R) in 1981
Dolly announced on September 28 that she would be postponing her Las Vegas residency to September 2026 due to ‘health issues’.
“I want fans and the public to hear directly from me that unfortunately I will have to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,” Parton wrote. ‘As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health issues and my doctors are telling me I need to have a few procedures done.’
In his signature style, he joked that it felt like time for a ‘100,000 mile inspection’ and explained that this wasn’t his ‘usual visit’. [her] plastic surgeon.’
Despite the setback, Parton reassured fans that she would not retire.
He said, ‘Don’t worry about me quitting because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.’
‘But I think He’s telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for bigger adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for your understanding.’
Under the post, Olivia Munn left a series of red heart emojis, while singer Brandi Carlile praised Parton as ‘impeachable’.
Country star Jennifer Nettles added: ‘Big adventures for you of course! I can’t wait to enjoy these with you! In the meantime, take care of yourself and feel better!’
Actress Julianne Hough shared three heart emojis.
Other fans echoed the same sentiment: ‘Protect this queen at all costs!!!!’ while another enthusiastically wrote: ‘Recover strong Queen Dolly!’
