Dolly Parton shared a health update with fans via a video message, captioned “I ain’t dead yet,” addressing recent rumors that she is seriously ill or dying. The 79-year-old country music icon took to her official social media channels to post a video of herself responding directly to the speculation surrounding her health.
“Today’s October 8th, and obviously I’m here doing some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry, which is why I’m dressed kind of like a country western girl. But before I got started, I wanted to say, I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I’m, do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here. Anyway, I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease. Those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate, and I appreciate your prayers because I’m a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything, but I want you to know that I’m okay.”
While the beloved “9 to 5” singer admitted she is facing some health issues, she emphasized that they are not life-threatening.
“I’ve got some problems. As I mentioned back when, my husband, Carl, was very sick. That was for a long time. And then when he passed, I didn’t take care of myself. So I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of. So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that. Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt [Hospital], where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there. But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”
Parton also took a moment to address some AI-generated photos making the rounds online—specifically, altered images of her and fellow country star Reba McEntire.
“Did you see that AI picture of Reba [McEntire] and me? Oh, Lordy. I mean, they had Reba at my deathbed, and we both looked like we need to be buried, but I thought, oh my Lord. But if I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed. She might come visit me earlier,” Parton explained.
She concluded the just over two-minute video update with reassurance, letting fans know that she is “not ready to die yet,” and asked fans to keep her in your prayers while making it clear that she’s not going anywhere anytime soon. “But anyway, there are just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay,” Parton added. “So anyhow, that’s what I wanted to say, and I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring and keep praying for me.”
Dolly Parton’s health update comes just one day after her sister Frieda shared a social media post asking fans to pray for Dolly, prompting a viral story and sparking major concern among Parton’s fan base.
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately,” Freida wrote at the time. “I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led 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!”
Frieda has since clarified that she “didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly” and confirmed that Dolly has “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.”
Fans grew concerned after Dolly Parton announced the postponement of her Las Vegas residency concerts, originally scheduled for December during the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR). On September 28, Parton explained that the decision was due to “health challenges” and the need to undergo “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. 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 hundred thousand mile checkup, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!” Parton said.
She continued, “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. Well I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready as they say. And don’t worry about me quitting the music business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe he is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you, and thank you for understanding.”
Parton was also forced to cancel a recent appearance at Dollywood due to a kidney stone that led to an infection. “Turned out it’d given me an infection,” the Grand Ole Opry member and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer told fans in a video. “And the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better.’”
Dolly Parton’s Las Vegas Residency will now take place in September 2026.
