Dolly Parton Shares Update on Current Health Struggles: ‘I’m Not Dying’

Dolly Parton, 79, says she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “I wanted you to know that I’m not dying,” the 79-year-old musician said Wednesday.

In a new social media clip, the 10-time Grammy Award–winning singer was dressed “like a country-western girl” while filming content at the Grand Ole Opry when she decided to share a lighthearted update on her health.

“I know lately, everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you?” Parton asked in a matter-of-fact way. “I’m working hard here.”

The legendary musician said her goal was to “put everybody’s mind at ease" because many people “seem to be real concerned” about her health. That concern stemmed from Parton's announcement that she would be postponing upcoming concerts due to health issues.

Parton then talked about how some of her health problems arose. “As I mentioned 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 have been taking care of,” she admitted.

Parton even had a little fun, joking about people using AI to imagine Reba McEntire, the 70-year-old country singer, comforting her during her time of need.

“Did you see that AI picture of Reba and me? Ooh, Lordy! I mean, they had Reba at my deathbed, and we both look like we need to be buried,” she joked. “I thought, Oh, my Lord. But if I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed. She might come visit me earlier.… There’s just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was OK. So anyhow, that’s what I wanted to say, and I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working,” she said. 

Parton’s message comes after her sister, Freida Parton, 68, apologized on October 7 for alarming fans by asking them to pray for her during her current health battle. “I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” Freida said on Facebook. “She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer.”

The younger Parton said, “It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”

When Parton postponed several of her upcoming Las Vegas concerts, she posted on Instagram: “As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.”