Dolly Parton’s sister asks for prayers amid health fears for country star
Dolly Parton is speaking out after her sister sparked widespread concern over the legendary singer’s health amid the postponement of a series of concerts – insisting she “isn’t dead yet!”
In a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday, Parton explained that she was working on commercials for the Grand Ole Opry and wanted to reassure people, providing fans with an update on her health.
“Everyone thinks I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here!” the 79-year-old singer added in the video captioned “I’m not dead yet!”
Public concern increased Tuesday afternoon, when her younger sister, Freida Parton, posted that she was “up all night praying for my sister Dolly.”
“She is strong, she is loved, and with all the prayers that are being raised for her, I know in my heart that she will be just fine,” Freida Parton added.
The post received media coverage and attracted nearly 4,000 comments and 19,000 shares on Facebook, largely from concerned fans of the 79-year-old queen, which subsequently prompted Freida Parton to clarify her comments on Tuesday evening.
“I want to clear something up. I didn’t want to scare anyone or make it seem like it was that serious by asking for prayers for Dolly,” she said.
“She was struggling a little bit, and I just asked for prayers because I deeply believe in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for raising her. Your love truly makes a difference.”
In Wednesday’s video, Parton said she appreciated the concern and prayers and noted that she had “some issues, as I mentioned.” Parton explained that after her husband Carl died in May, she didn’t take care of herself and “let go of a lot of things that I should have taken care of.”
“When I got there, the doctor said we need to take care of this, we need to take care of that,” Parton explained in the video. “Nothing major, but I had to cancel some things so I could be closer to home and closer to Vanderbilt, you know, where I kind of get a few treatments here and there.
Last month, Parton announced she was postponing her Las Vegas residency on September 29 due to “some health issues” that would require “a few procedures.”
“As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000 mile checkup, even if it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!” Parton added.
The Vegas shows were scheduled to take place at the Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace between December 4 and 13. They have been postponed to September next year and tickets already purchased will be valid for these shows.
At the time, Parton said she would be able to work on projects from Nashville, but would not be able to rehearse for live shows. She stressed that she had no chance of quitting music, “because God hasn’t said anything about me quitting yet.”
“I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is done with me, and I’m not done working,” Parton concluded in the video.
