NASHVILLE, TN — Country music’s perennial Queen of Sass, Dolly Parton, has taken to social media to firmly—and humorously—quash a flurry of rumors about her failing health, which were unintentionally sparked by a heartfelt request for prayers from her own sister.
In a characteristic display of resilience and good humor, the 79-year-old icon posted a two-minute video captioned simply: “I ain’t dead yet!”
The post was a direct response to a wave of fan concern that began swirling after her sister, Freida Parton, shared an emotional message on Facebook this week asking fans to become “prayer warriors” for the singer, who “hasn’t been feeling her best lately.” The plea, while well-intentioned, sent a shockwave through the global fanbase, prompting speculation about the severity of the star’s condition.
“I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease,” Parton said in the video, filmed from a commercial set. “I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here!“
Parton, who recently postponed her first Las Vegas residency in decades due to “health challenges,” went on to clarify the situation with her trademark candor. She revealed that her recent health issues stemmed in part from neglecting herself following the prolonged illness and recent passing of her longtime husband, Carl Dean.
“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… where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there.”
Sources close to the singer have previously disclosed that her challenges included an infection related to kidney stones, which forced her to miss an event at her Dollywood theme park last month.
Ever the entertainer, Parton even took a moment to address a peculiar AI-generated image circulating online that depicted her on a “deathbed” with fellow country star Reba McEntire by her side. “They had Reba at my deathbed, and we both looked like we need to be buried,” she quipped. “If I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed. She might come visit me earlier.”
Parton concluded her video with a reassurance that the music and the mission are far from over.
“I wanted you to know that I’m not dying,” she stated. “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.”
Sister Freida later clarified her original post, stating she “didn’t mean to scare anyone” and simply believes strongly in the power of prayer for her “big sister.”
For millions of fans who were holding their breath, Dolly’s message was a joyous sigh of relief—the Smoky Mountain Songbird is still singing, still working, and still ready for her “100,000-mile check-up.” Her immediate, direct, and joke-laden address to the rumors is a testament to the ironclad spirit that has made her one of the world’s most enduring and beloved figures.