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The update comes after the country superstar postponed a sixnight Las Vegas event due to unspecified health struggles. Dolly Parton says she's 'not ready to die

The update comes after the country superstar postponed a six-night Las Vegas event due to unspecified health struggles.

Dolly Parton says she's 'not ready to die yet' amid concerns about her health

The update comes after the country superstar postponed a six-night Las Vegas event due to unspecified health struggles.

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

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and Jillian Sederholm

Jillian Sederholm

Jillian Sederholm is news director at *. *She has worked at EW for more than eight years. Jillian has previously worked as a reporter, social media editor, and homepage producer at NBC News, Digital First Media, Newsday, and *Random Lengths News.*

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on October 8, 2025 1:55 p.m. ET

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Dolly Parton. Credit:

Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty

Dolly Parton is setting the record straight on her health: She's "not ready to die yet."

The beloved country music star took to her social media on Wednesday to address concerns from fans about the status of her health, after she announced last month that a planned six-night Las Vegas event would be postponed due to unspecified health issues.**

"Well, today's October the 8th and obviously I'm here," the "Jolene" singer began a video posted to Instagram, explaining she was about to film some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry. "Before I got started I wanted to say I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I'm working hard here."

She continued, "I wanted to put everybody's mind at ease, those of you that seemed to be real concerned, which I appreciate and I appreciate your prayers 'cause I'm a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything. But I want you to know that I'm okay."

Jason Kempin/Getty

She went on to acknowledge her recent health issues came about after the death of Carl Dean, her husband of 58 years, earlier this year.

"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 explained. "When I got around to it, the doctor said we need to take care of this, we need to take care of that. 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 some treatments here and there."**

"I wanted you to know that I'm not dying," Parton said. "I'm not ready to die yet. I don't think God is through with me and I ain't done working. So I love you for caring and keep praying for me."

She also laughed off a recent AI image that had made the rounds depicting Reba McEntire holding vigil at her death bed. "We both looked like we need to be buried. And I thought, oh my lord. But if I was really dying, I don't think Reba would be the one at my death bed. She would come visit me earlier," she said. "There're just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me you'd know that I was okay."

Parton's update comes on the heels of her sister, Freida, asking fans to keep the singer in their thoughts and prayers. "Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly," Freida wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday. "Many of you know she hasn't been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me."

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Freida continued, "She's strong, she's loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she's going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!"

On Sept. 28, the country legend announced that due to recent "health challenges," her six-night engagement at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, "Dolly: Live in Las Vegas," would be postponed from December 2025 to September 2026.

"I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts," Parton wrote. "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. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it's not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!"

Freida Parton and Dolly Parton in 1981.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

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As such, Parton added that she would no longer be able to "rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see," so she asked fans for their patience. She also assured fans the postponement was not a bellwether of plans to retire.**

"Don't worry about me quittin' the business because God hasn't said anything about stopping yet," she wrote. "But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so l can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding."

Prior to the postponement news, Parton also had to miss an attraction announcement at her theme park, Dollywood, citing, "a kidney stone that has caused me a lot of problems."**

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Source: "AOL Music"

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