Is Dolly Parton Sick? Her Heartfelt Health Update: ‘I’m Improving Every Day'
If you’re like us, you might have been worrying lately “Is Dolly Parton sick?” But the country music legend has a message for her fans—and it’s the kind of positive health update we’ve all been hoping to hear. In an Instagram video posted May 4, the 80-year-old icon opened up about her health, healing and why she’s stepping back from her Las Vegas residency for now.
“I am here to give you an update on a few things going on in my life,” Parton told fans. “First, it’s concerning my health. And I have some good news and a little bad news. The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day.”
Why Dolly is pressing pause on Vegas
While the “Jolene” singer is making real progress, she’s not quite ready for the bright lights of a full residency just yet—and she’s being honest about why.
“Now, the bad news is, it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level. Because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say. And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels,” she said.
Is Dolly Parton sick?
In classic Dolly fashion, she leaned on humor to describe what she’s been through with her health recently, comparing herself to a “classic car that, once restored, can be better than ever.”
“But when they raised the hood on this old antique, they realized that I need to rebuild my engine and that my transmission is slipping, my oil pan is leaking, my muffler is busted and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced, and for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed,” she added.
Dolly, who struggled with kidney stones and an associated infection last year, told fans, “My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple three years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those and hopefully I’ll be up to snuff again soon.”
A look back at Dolly Parton’s health
This Vegas cancellation marks the latest chapter in a challenging year for the beloved star. Last fall, Dolly missed a September 17, 2025, appearance at Dollywood after a kidney stone caused an infection. “The doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute…you need a few days to get better,'” she told fans at the time.
Then on September 28 she postponed her Caesars Palace residency originally set for last December, rescheduling it to fall 2026. “You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you,” she wrote on Instagram. “And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now.”
Her sister Freida Parton had asked for prayers in October 2025, later clarifying, “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious… She’s been a little under the weather.” And this isn’t Dolly’s first dance with kidney stones—back in 2015, she set the record straight on tabloid rumors with her trademark grace: “I had them removed three weeks ago and I am doing just fine!”
In November 2025, she also missed her induction into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame in Orlando, telling fans “My doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while.”
Grief, gratitude and what’s ahead for Dolly Parton
Through it all, Dolly has also been grieving the death of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 after 59 years of marriage. “I will always love him, and I’ll always miss him,” she shared. “You would be surprised at how much your love and concern meant to me during that time. … From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. You have been a big part of my healing.”
And don’t worry—Dolly isn’t slowing down completely. She’s still recording videos, visiting Dollywood, opening a museum and hotel in Nashville later this year and reworking her Broadway musical, Dolly: A True Original Musical.
“I’m doing really well, and [doctors] assure me that everything I have is treatable,” she said. “I just want you to know I thank you for standing by me and that I will always love you.”
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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM.