Dolly Parton took to social media Wednesday to assure fans she’s alive, well, and busy at work, ending rumors about her health with trademark humor: “I ain’t dead yet!”
The 79-year-old icon wore a red-and-black fringe outfit while filming a commercial for the Grand Ole Opry. She smiled into the camera to address the rumors about her health. “I wanted to say, I know lately everybody thinks that I’m sicker than I am,” she said in the Instagram video. “Do I look sick to you? I’m workin’ hard here.”
Parton’s reassurance came after days of public concern. The worries were sparked by a Facebook post from her younger sister, Freida Parton, who told fans she had been “up all night praying” for her famous sibling. “Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately,” Freida wrote. “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.”
The post quickly went viral, gathering thousands of comments and shares from anxious fans. Later that day, Freida clarified her intent. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” she wrote. “It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister.”
Another of Dolly’s sisters, Stella Parton, later weighed in. She defended Freida’s intentions and scolded fans for pressing the family for updates. “My sister Freida is always concerned when one of her siblings isn’t feeling well, so she asked for prayers on Dolly’s behalf,” she explained. She added that she was frustrated by the public’s intrusion.
In her video, Dolly thanked fans for their prayers and concern. She assured fans she’s managing her health responsibly. She admitted that for years, she had neglected her own needs while caring for her husband, Carl Dean. “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,” she said. “I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of.”
Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years, died in March. His loss, along with Parton’s postponed Las Vegas residency, raised fears about her well-being. The singer confirmed she’s undergoing treatment and checkups at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. “Nothing major,” she emphasized. “But I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home.”
In late September, Parton announced she was postponing her six-show Las Vegas residency. It was originally scheduled for December 2025 but is now set for September 2026. She cited “some health challenges” and “a few procedures” recommended by her doctors. “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,” she said at the time. Ever the humorist, she added, “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!”
Despite the setback, Parton reaffirmed her resilience: “I’m not ready to die yet,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done workin’.”
Her comments reflect the same faith and optimism that have defined her six-decade career. Beyond her chart-topping hits and Hall of Fame accolades, Parton has built a philanthropic legacy. She helped fund Moderna’s research on the COVID-19 vaccine. Her Imagination Library also delivered over 200 million free books to children worldwide.
“She’s one of the most beloved people in the world,” said longtime friend and Opry producer Sally Williams, speaking to Rolling Stone. “Dolly’s heart has always been as big as her talent, and that’s saying something.”
In her Wednesday post, Parton thanked fans for their kindness and continued prayers. “I love you for caring,” she said, smiling. “Keep praying for me. But I promise — I’m ok.”
For now, the Queen of Country is staying close to home, focusing on recovery, family, and new projects in Nashville. As she reminded fans—with humor, honesty, and grit—her story is far from over.
