Dolly Parton has shared an update on her health, revealing that she neglected her own well-being while caring for her husband before his death last year.
While speaking with People about her upcoming museum celebrating her life in Nashville, Parton said she has been responding positively to treatment but admitted that the past few years have taken a toll on her health.
“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said.
Carl Dean passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82. Parton said the grief that followed his death, along with experiencing major firsts without him, affected her physically and emotionally.
“After going through a year of firsts, I mean the holidays, and especially our wedding anniversary, and the date of his death, that was hard for me,” she shared.
The country icon explained that her immune and digestive systems were impacted over the past few years and that doctors are now working to restore her strength.
“My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past [couple of] years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those,” she said.
Parton also mentioned dealing with recurring kidney stones, joking that doctors “dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee.”
She added that dizziness and dehydration have also been among her health concerns. During a pre-recorded appearance at the August 14 opening of Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition roller coaster, Parton explained that her Nashville doctor had “clipped my wings” and advised her not to travel that week.
The health challenges also led to the cancellation of her planned Dolly: Live in Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace earlier this year.
Despite the setbacks, Parton said she remains hopeful and is seeing improvement.
“The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day,” she said. “I have great doctors, and they assure me that everything is treatable.”
Parton also addressed the widespread speculation surrounding her condition, noting how quickly information spreads in today’s digital world.
“I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”
The health update came as Parton revealed details about several upcoming projects, including Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum. Originally announced in 2025, the museum is now expected to open in October on the third floor of her SongTeller Hotel, which is scheduled to welcome guests in downtown Nashville beginning in September.
The hotel will also include two live music venues, Parton’s Live and Jolene’s, along with the SongTeller Cafe. Parton is also preparing to bring DOLLY: A True Original Musical to Broadway, with previews starting December 7 at the St. James Theatre before its official opening on January 19, 2027.
