'I'm not ready to die yet': Dolly Parton breaks silence on illness rumors – National

UPDATE: Dolly Parton wants her fans to know she's doing well despite “just a lot of rumors out there.”

“I feel like everyone is sicker than me these days,” Parton said, adding that she wanted to talk about her health issues in an Instagram video.

“Well, today is October 8th. Of course I'm here. …Do I look sick? I'm working hard here,” Parton said on the set of the Grand Ole Opry commercial. “I just wanted to reassure you guys who I think are really worried, and I appreciate that. And I appreciate your prayers, because as a person of faith, I can always use prayer for everything. But I want you to know that I'm going to be okay!”

“As I said, we have some issues,” Parton continued. “When my husband Karl was seriously ill, it had been going on for a long time, and when he passed away, I didn't take care of myself, so I let go of a lot of things that I should have taken care of. So anyway, when I got into it, the doctor said we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that.”

“It's not a big deal, but I had to cancel some errands to go somewhere closer to home and closer to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where I'm being treated here and there, but I just wanted you to know that I'm not going to die,” Parton said.

She also joked about an AI photo circulating online showing her on her “deathbed” with Reba McIntyre by her side.

“Did you see the AI ​​photo of Reba and me? Oh, Lord! I mean, they had Reba on my deathbed, and it looks like we both have to be buried. I thought, Oh, Lord. But if I'm really dying, I don't think Reba is the one on my deathbed. She might come visit me sooner,” she added.

“There's a lot of rumors going around, but I thought if you heard it from me, you'd know I'm okay,” she said. “Anyway, that's what I wanted to say and I'm not ready to die yet. I don't think God is done with me and I'm not done with the job. So, I care about you and I love you and I'll continue to pray for me.”

Original story: Dolly Parton's sister Freida Parton is sharing an update, a week after Dolly Parton postponed her upcoming Las Vegas residency due to health issues and asked fans to pray for her sister's recovery.

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“I want to make something clear,” Frida, 68, wrote in a Facebook post. “It was not my intention to scare anyone or to sound serious when I asked for prayers for Dolly.”

Frieda said Parton, 79, was “a little sick, but I just asked for prayers because I'm a big believer in the power of prayer.”

“It's just my sister asking for prayers for her. Thank you to everyone who cheered her up. Your love truly makes a difference,” she added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Frieda shared an update on Jolene on Facebook, along with a photo of Parton praying.

“Last night I spent all night praying for my sister Dolly. I'm sure many of you know that she hasn't been feeling well lately,” she wrote. “I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have begun to ask people around the world who loved her to become prayer warriors and pray with me.

“She's strong and she's loved. And with all the prayers said for her, I know in my heart she's going to be okay. Oh my gosh, wimpy Dolly. We all love you.”

Hours after Frida's latest post, Parton's sister Stella, 76, also shared an update on Facebook, addressing the criticism she received from fans for not speaking up about her sister's health.

“My sister Dolly posted last week telling fans about her health and that she is seeking treatment for kidney stones,” Stella wrote.

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She said Frieda was “concerned” and asked for “prayers for Dolly.”

“Personally, I respect the privacy of my entire family and would not disrespect anyone by discussing personal business,” she continued. “If you want more information, please visit their page. That said, if you feel the need to attack or insult me ​​because I'm not an information booth, you're not a true fan.

“If it were you, I would not have bothered to say the hurtful things I have posted on my various social media platforms over the past 24 hours. Personally, I am grateful to those who have shown genuine concern for Dolly, and so is my family.”

In late September, Parton postponed her first trip to Las Vegas in 32 years, citing “health issues.” She did not elaborate on her health problems.

The country music icon announced the news in an Instagram post on September 28, telling her fans, “I want you to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I have to postpone my upcoming concert in Las Vegas.”

“As many of you know, I've been having some health issues and my doctors have told me I need some procedures. As I joked to my doctors, it must be time for a 100,000 mile checkup. Although going to see a plastic surgeon is not the norm!” the 9 to 5 singer wrote.

“Honestly, given the circumstances, I can't rehearse and put together the show I want you to see, and the show you deserve to see. You're paying high money to see me perform, and I want the best for you.”

She assured her fans, “Don't worry about me leaving the business because God hasn't said anything yet.”

Parton was scheduled to perform six performances of “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas'' at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace from Dec. 4 to Dec. 13, coinciding with the National Finals Rodeo. Her date has been changed to September 2026.

In early September, Parton canceled plans to attend a new ride launch at the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee.

“I had a kidney stone and it was causing me a lot of problems, but it turns out it was causing an infection, and the doctor said, 'You don't need to travel right away, you need a few days to feel better,'” Parton said in a video announcement at the time.

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