Rumors can spread faster than wildfire—but Dolly Parton wants everyone to know one thing loud and clear: she’s not dying. The 79-year-old country music legend took to social media this week to shut down growing speculation about her health, reminding fans that she’s still very much alive and kicking.
In a cheerful two-minute video posted on Instagram, Dolly smiled straight into the camera and said, “There’s been a lot of talk going around, but I figured it’s best you hear it from me—I’m doing just fine.” She added playfully, “I’m not ready to die yet! I don’t think God’s finished with me. And I sure ain’t done working.” Her message was accompanied by the caption, “I ain’t dead yet,” which quickly caught attention across her social platforms and website.
But here’s where it gets controversial... Only weeks earlier, Dolly had postponed her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency—the first in over three decades—due to what she described as “health challenges.” Originally set for six nights this December at Caesars Palace during the National Finals Rodeo, the shows will now take place in September 2026. Although she didn’t reveal specific medical issues, Dolly joked that her doctors told her it was time for a few “tune-ups.” In true Dolly humor, she quipped, “I told them it must be my 100,000-mile check-up—but don’t worry, it’s not a trip to the plastic surgeon this time!”
In Wednesday’s new video, Parton was seated comfortably on a cozy set, chatting familiarly with her fans as she prepared to film commercials for the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary. She grinned and said, “People think I’m a lot sicker than I actually am. Do I look sick to you? I’m here working hard!” The singer went on to reassure supporters who had been worried. “I really appreciate all your prayers,” she added. “I’m a person of faith, and I’ll take all the prayers I can get—for anything and everything.”
The concern had snowballed earlier this week after her sister, Freida Parton, posted on Facebook that she’d been “up all night praying for my sister, Dolly.” Fans instantly panicked, fearing the worst. But Freida quickly returned to the platform to calm everyone down, explaining, “I didn’t mean to alarm anyone. Dolly’s just been a little under the weather, and I was simply asking for prayers because I believe in their power.”
Dolly directly addressed the situation in her own video, opening up for the first time about the toll that her husband Carl Dean’s illness and passing earlier this year had taken on her. Carl, her beloved partner of nearly 60 years, died at 82. “When Carl was sick, it went on a long while,” she said softly. “After he passed, I wasn’t taking care of myself the way I should’ve. Later, when I finally went to the doctor, they said, ‘We need to fix this and that.’ It’s nothing major, but I did have to cancel a few commitments to stay closer to home—and closer to Vanderbilt—for some treatments.”
Still, Dolly couldn’t resist ending her message with her trademark sparkle of humor. “But don’t you worry—I’m not dying!” she laughed. “Did you see that AI picture going around of me and Reba? Oh, Lord! They had her sitting at my death bed, and both of us looked ready for burial. If I were really dying, I doubt Reba would be the one holding vigil—though she might stop by for an early visit!”
And this is the part most people miss: Dolly’s message isn’t just about denying rumors—it’s about resilience. Even in the face of aging, loss, and health struggles, she radiates vitality and self-deprecating humor. She reminds us all that getting older doesn’t mean giving up—it means taking care of yourself so you can keep spreading light.
So what do you think—should celebrities be obligated to publicly address rumors about their health, or should their privacy come first? Share your thoughts below—because when it comes to Dolly, one thing’s clear: she’s far from done shining.
