Dolly Parton wants everyone to know that she is alive, she is OK, and she is still working like always. Last week, the country music icon squashed wild rumors about her health in the most Dolly way possible: with a bold outfit, a little humor, and a whole lot of honesty.
On October 8, 2025, Dolly posted a short video on social media from the set of a commercial shoot for the “Grand Ole Opry.” The singer, 79, looked glam, confident, and full of energy. “Do I look sick to you?” she asked, flashing that classic Parton smile. “I’m workin’ hard here.”
In the video, Dolly Parton addressed the rumors directly. “I ain’t dead yet!” she said with a laugh.
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She explained that while she has been dealing with a few health issues, nothing is as serious as some people were making it out to be. “I don’t think God is through with me,” she added. “And I ain’t done workin’.”
How It Started
The panic started the day before, when Dolly’s younger sister, Freida Parton, posted an emotional message on Facebook. She said she had been up all night praying for Dolly, who hadn’t been feeling great. She asked others to pray too, calling for "prayer warriors." That is all it took for rumors to spiral out of control.
A few hours later, Freida went back online to clear the air. “I didn’t mean to alarm anyone,” she wrote. “It was just a sister asking for prayers.” But by then, the internet had already done what it does best—run wild with speculation.
Dolly / IG / Fans jumped to conclusions, fearing the worst. Some thought Dolly was gravely ill, while others claimed she was near death. The post spread quickly across news sites and social media, turning concern into full-blown chaos.
The “9 to 5” legend later addressed the situation in a video, giving fans a calm, straightforward update. She reminded everyone that her Las Vegas residency had already been postponed—from December 2025 to September 2026—due to doctor-advised health procedures.
In her latest message, Dolly assured everyone that her condition wasn’t serious. She explained that after her husband Carl Dean’s passing in March, she hadn’t been looking after herself as she should. “I let a lot of things slide,” she admitted. Once she finally saw her doctors, they told her it was time to take care of a few overdue treatments, including dealing with some kidney stones.
The Loss That Hit Hard
Dolly / IG / Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, died earlier this year. Dolly kept the details private for a while, but fans knew the loss hit her hard.
She has spoken before about how Carl was her rock, even though he stayed out of the spotlight. In her video, she shared that after his death, she focused on grieving and didn’t put herself first.
“I just didn’t go to the doctor like I should have,” she said. “But I’m getting back on track now.” She is receiving care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, a place she trusts. Her team confirmed that she is responding well to treatment and getting stronger every day.
If there is one thing Dolly Parton has always done, it is work. Health problems or not, she doesn’t sit still for long. In the same breath she used to shut down the rumors, she reminded everyone she still has projects in the pipeline.