This week, Dolly Parton's sister Freida set off a wave of concern when she posted a heartfelt message on social media, urging the beloved singer's fans to keep Dolly in their thoughts and prayers. She wrote, "Last night, I spent the entire night on my knees, praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you are aware that she hasn't been at her best lately. I firmly believe in the power of prayer, and I felt compelled to reach out to all the people around the world who adore her, asking them to join me in prayer and become prayer warriors for her."
Dolly Parton, aged 79, recently made headlines when she postponed her Las Vegas residency, informing her fans that she was grappling with several "health challenges." The iconic singer of '9 to 5' and 'Jolene' was scheduled to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in December but decided to delay the concerts until December 2026.
In a follow-up post yesterday, Freida sought to clarify her initial statement, emphasizing that she "didn't intend to alarm anyone or make the situation sound more dire than it was when I asked for prayers for Dolly."
Undeterred, Dolly herself stepped in to reassure her loyal fanbase. In a video filmed on the set of a Grand Ole Opry commercial, she quipped, "I know everyone's been thinking I'm sicker than I actually am. Do I look sick to you? I'm busting my tail here!"
She continued, "I just wanted to put everyone's minds at ease, especially those of you who are genuinely worried, and I truly appreciate that concern. I also appreciate your prayers because I'm a woman of faith."
"As I mentioned before, when my husband Carl was seriously ill for a long time, and then after he passed away, I neglected taking care of myself. I let a lot of things slide that I should have addressed," she added. "So, when I finally got around to it, the doctor said, 'We need to take care of this, and we need to take care of that.' Nothing life-threatening, but I did have to cancel some commitments so I could stay closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt, where I'm undergoing a few treatments here and there."
This year has proven to be an incredibly challenging one for Dolly Parton. In March, she bid farewell to her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away at the age of 82. In the wake of his death, the country music icon revealed that she had temporarily shelved her songwriting endeavors, putting the creation of new tunes "on hold" as she navigated the profound grief of her loss. Nevertheless, she did grace the world with a poignant single, 'If You Hadn’t Been There'—a heartfelt tribute to her beloved late husband.
Amidst the somber moments, a glimmer of brightness emerged in August as Guinness World Records celebrated its 70th anniversary by honoring Dolly as one of their illustrious icons. At her studios in Nashville, Tennessee, she was presented with an Icon certificate, commemorating her extraordinary feat of holding 11 record-breaking titles. These accolades encompass achievements such as the most consecutive decades with top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart, the most studio albums released by a female country singer, and the most Grammy nominations for a female country artist. Moreover, Parton etched her name in history as the first country singer to be nominated for the coveted EGOT—an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony—collectively known as the "Grand Slam of showbusiness."
Craig Glenday, the editor-in-chief at Guinness World Records, remarked, "Dolly is unquestionably one of the most revered writers and performers in the annals of country music, as evidenced by her numerous Guinness World Records certificates. However, her impact and influence extend far beyond the confines of the musical realm." Indeed, Parton's charitable and philanthropic endeavors are equally noteworthy, including the establishment of the Dollywood Foundation in 1988. This institution passionately advocates for the education of children in her home state of Tennessee. Furthermore, her literacy initiative, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has made an indelible mark by distributing over 285 million books worldwide since its inception in 1995.
