Dolly Parton, 79, Shares Health Update After Missing Award Show: ‘Doctors Told Me To Take It Easy’
The star has been dealing with kidney stone complications that forced her to scale back a bit
After decades of giving the world her heart through music, on-stage performances and her beloved Tennessee amusement park Dollywood, Dolly Parton just earned another milestone achievement in her career—a prestigious induction into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame. But there’s a bittersweetness to it: The 79-year-old country legend recently navigated health challenges stemming from a kidney stone infection that kept her from attending the November 17 ceremony in Orlando, Florida. In a heartfelt Instagram video, Dolly opened up about her health struggles keeping her from being there in person—and why this honor means everything to her, even from afar.
Dolly Parton’s latest health update
In a video posted November 19, Dolly radiated her signature warmth, sporting a blue sparkly dress and that unmistakable smile as she explained her absence to fans.
“Well hey there, it’s Dolly,” the star said in her video. “I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall, and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while. And I’m truly sorry I can’t be there, but I sure wanted to take the chance to say thank you for this incredible honor.”
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Beyond her music, Dolly has built an empire with Dollywood, her beloved Tennessee amusement park that has brought joy to millions. In her video, she spoke about the vision that inspired the park. “I dreamed of a place right here in the Smoky Mountains where my family could perform and where we could provide steady work for the good people in our community and where families could come and laugh and play and have fun and make memories together,” Parton said.
For Dolly, this honor celebrates the decades of dedication she’s poured into building and expanding Dollywood. “I’m just so grateful that you consider me worthy of this recognition,” Parton said. “Being inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame is a big, incredible way to help celebrate Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season.”
Dolly added that she felt especially honored to make history with the award. “They tell me that I’m only the second woman ever inducted on her own and just the fourth woman in IAAPA’s 100 year history,” Parton said. “So I suppose that makes this Hall of Fame Induction even more special.”
How worried should we be about Dolly Parton’s health?
This ceremony was not the only one Parton had to skip during her recent health struggles. She also accepted an honorary Oscar remotely this year and put her Las Vegas residency on hold. Should fans be concerned?
While Dolly is indeed still dealing with complications from kidney stones, her sister Freida Parton tried to put everyone at ease after calling for prayers for the singer last month. “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,” Freida wrote on October 8. “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.”
Freida, 68, is a singer-songwriter like Dolly. She co-wrote the song “Sing for the Common Man,” on Dolly’s 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs album.
After Freida’s first social media post, Dolly’s rep, Olly Rowland, spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal with an encouraging update. “It’s just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those. It looks like her sister posted, and it got quite a bit blown out of proportion,” he said.
Why fans have been concerned about Dolly
Dolly cancelled a planned appearance on September 17 at her theme park, Dollywood, telling fans she was dealing with a health issue.
Dolly spoke to the crowd via video. “Hello, Dollywood! It’s me,” she said in a taped message shared on social media by those gathered to hear about a new white-water adventure ride. “I’m here, and you’re there, and you’re wondering why that is.” Her explanation: “I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, turned out it’d given me an infection,” she continued. “The doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute…you need a few days to get better.’ So, he suggested I not go to Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit. I was looking so forward to it.”
Then on September 28, she released a statement postponing upcoming Las Vegas concerts. “My doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000 check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!” she joked. “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 see good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you. And 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 so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.” Revised tour dates pushed planned December 2025 shows to the fall of 2026.
Dolly had a previous health scare with kidney stones
Back in 2015, Dolly missed a different Dollywood event, and tabloids went wild. Though some reported it as a bout of kidney stones, others said she had a device implanted to control digestive problems and that scar tissue was being tested for cancer. One story even declared that she had undergone surgery as part of a secret battle with stomach cancer. Dolly issued a statement with her signature good cheer.
“It is true that I had kidney stones. I had them removed three weeks ago and I am doing just fine! I am back to work and last week, I was at Dollywood filming parts for my new movie ‘Coat of Many Colors,’” she said. “I [also] did a full week of activities promoting my new DreamMore Resort’s opening. There is absolutely no truth at all that I have stomach cancer. I love and appreciate everyone’s concern.”
How Dolly’s faith helps her heal
Dolly, who lost her husband Carl Dean in March, has often said her faith keeps her resilient in difficult times. And while she’s grieving her husband of 59 years, she is still looking forward. “I want to be able to do good, and I just pray for God to give me strength and the energy…to show me what I need to do, where I’m most needed,” she told Woman’s World last year. “And to give me the stamina and the strength to carry it out.” In case you were wondering, scientists have repeatedly found a strong link between faith and wellbeing. Like millions of Dolly’s fans around the world, we hope this means she has many happy, healthy years ahead of her.
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