Dolly Parton Speaks Out After Sister's Emotional Message About Singer's Health

Country music icon Dolly Parton is pushing back against growing health rumors — and she's doing it with her signature sparkle and sass.

The "Islands in the Stream" song legend, Dolly Parton, delivered a powerful message in a new Instagram video posted on October 8, 2025, assuring her millions of fans that, despite what they may have heard, she's far from death's door.

Dolly Challenges Rumors Head-On

Attached to the video was a message only Dolly could pull off:

"I ain't dead yet!"

Looking every inch the radiant superstar, Dolly opened the video by addressing growing whispers about her health. "I know lately everybody thinks that I'm sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I'm working hard here," she said in the clip, shared directly to her official Instagram page.

The "Jolene" singer went on to thank her fans for the overwhelming love and concern, especially those who have been praying for her during this deeply personal time. "I'm a person of faith and can always use the prayer for anything and everything," she said sincerely.

Dolly Admits She Let Her Own Health Slide

In a rare moment of raw vulnerability, Dolly opened up about how her personal struggles following the death of her beloved husband Carl Dean impacted her own well-being. "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, so I let a lot of things go that I should've been taking care of," she revealed.

Eventually, her doctors urged her to get back on track.

"So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that," she explained. "Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt, where I'm kind of having a few treatments here and there, but I wanted you to know that I'm not dying."

After clearing up concerns about her treatments, Dolly turned her attention to another bizarre rumor circulating online.

Dolly Slams Cruel AI Deathbed Hoax With Humor

The country queen also took a moment to address an alarming AI-generated image that's been making the rounds online — one that falsely depicts her on her deathbed alongside fellow legend Reba McEntire.

"I mean, they had Reba at my deathbed, and we both look like we need to be buried," Dolly said with a laugh. "But, if I was [sic] really dying, I don't think Reba would be the one at my deathbed. She might come visit me earlier."

Despite the online chatter and her recent absence from the spotlight, Dolly made it clear that her flame is far from fading. Her latest message didn't come out of nowhere— it followed weeks of health updates that had already sparked concern among fans and her sister, Freida Parton.

On October 7, 2025, Dolly's family rallied around her once again. Her sister, Freida, took to social media, revealing she'd spent the night praying for Dolly and asking fans to do the same.

The emotional post drew an outpouring of love and prayers from supporters across the world."Thank you for letting us know she is really in need of prayer, and how to pray for her, and all of you her [sic] family!🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️," one supporter posted.

"Dolly is one of a kind. Her faith and faithfulness will see her through this time. I'll be praying for her and believing she is 100% healed by the stripes of Jesus," another wrote.

"If anything happens to Dolly, they might as well shut down the entire state for a week. We need her!!! Prayers and love ❤️," stated another supporter. Even more fans filled the comment section with prayers, hoping their words would bring comfort and strength to the family.

Nearly a month before her sister's emotional post, Dolly had shared a candid update about her health, explaining that her doctors had instructed her to rest.

Dolly Admits Doctors Ordered Her to Rest

On September 28, 2025, the beloved "Powerful Women" singer took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message with her fans, revealing that she would need to postpone her upcoming Las Vegas concerts due to ongoing health concerns.

In a candid note, Dolly acknowledged that, although she's still able to work from home in Nashville, her doctors have advised her to undergo specific medical procedures — prompting the difficult decision to step away from the stage temporarily.

With her trademark wit and warmth, the country music legend attempted to soften the blow by joking that this instance is yet another addition to an extensive health check-up list, before clarifying that she needs a bit of time to rest and recover.

Dolly made it clear that she wants to be at her best for her fans, adding that she wasn't able to rehearse and deliver the caliber of performance they deserve properly.

The announcement came with a comforting reassurance that she's not stepping away from the spotlight permanently, as God has given her no indication that it is time for her to stop performing. The affected concerts, originally scheduled to begin in early December 2025, have all been pushed back by nearly ten months, with new dates stretching into late September 2026.

Although Dolly made it clear that she is not well enough to proceed with the scheduled shows, worried fans may rest assured that the star is not currently facing any severe health issues. According to the singer's UK manager, Olly Rowland, "It's just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those."

Dolly Misses Dollywood Event After Health Scare

Even before the Las Vegas announcement, fans had been worried about her sudden absence from her cherished Dollywood event. In a video message shared during the event — and later circulated online — the country legend addressed her absence with her signature warmth and sincerity.

"Hello, Dollywood. It's me. I know. I'm here. And you're there," she began, acknowledging the disappointment many attendees may have felt. With candor, she explained that a recent health scare had kept her home — "I had a kidney stone, which caused me a lot of problems. Turned out to be an infection."

Following medical advice, she was told not to travel and to rest for a few days to recover properly. Despite her physical absence, Dolly made it clear that her heart was still with those gathered at the park. "I'm there with you in spirit," she said, noting how much she had looked forward to the event.

The occasion marked a celebration of a new attraction that Dolly, along with her collaborators, had been working on for the past three years. She described it with pride, calling it the "most expensive thing that's ever done," adding a playful charm to the announcement. "Don't worry about me. I'm gonna be okay. Just can't do it today," she added with a smile.

Though the "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That" singer kept the details of her recent illness brief during her Dollywood message, it wasn't the first time health issues had interrupted her plans or deeply affected her personal life.

She has previously opened up about the toll chronic health struggles have taken on both her career and emotional well-being — experiences that date back decades. In 1982, at the height of her fame, the "Coat of Many Colors" singer canceled an entire tour after suffering from persistent abdominal pain and bleeding.

The diagnosis? Endometriosis: a condition that causes tissue similar to the uterine lining to grow outside the uterus, which can result in severe pain, fertility problems, and long-term complications.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, endometriosis can significantly disrupt daily life, with effects that extend far beyond the reproductive system. The following years were tough for the music icon after she was diagnosed.

The "9 to 5" singer also opened up about her infertility during a 1987 interview with "Today" contributor Gloria Steinem. When asked why she never had children, the singer disclosed, "I can't have children physically. I love children."

She added, "I don't know that it also wasn't God's will, you know, for me not to have kids. I mean, I try to look at things in a way that I can put them in a proper place because somebody has to be out there doing something to entertain other people's children."

Reflecting on that difficult period during another instance, Dolly Parton admitted, "It was a really bad time," referencing the two-year depression she endured while stepping back from her career.

Through loss, health scares, and decades of life in the spotlight, Dolly continues to face every challenge with the same resilience and humor that made her a beloved icon. Her recent health updates — though a cause for concern among fans — have only highlighted her unwavering spirit and faith.