On September 28, 2025, Dolly Parton announced that she had to delay her upcoming Las Vegas concert due to some “health challenges”. She also said that she has to “slow down.”
In a social media post, Dolly’s sister, Freida Parton, shared a sad update on her sister’s health:
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. 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. 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!”
The Las Vegas concerts were set to be the 79-year-old country star’s first residency in over 30 years.
In Dolly’s official statement, on September 29, the world-famous country music star wrote:
“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts. 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! In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.
You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you. While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say.
And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding.”
Dolly issues an apology
In November, Dolly shared an apology video after missing her own Hall of Fame induction ceremony for her US theme park, Dollywood. The singer revealed her absence was due to doctors orders.
“I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges … and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while,” she shared on Instagram.
“I’m truly sorry I can’t be there, but I sure wanted to take the chance to say, thank you for this incredible honour.”
The ceremony recognised her contributions to the “expansion of Dollywood into the world-class resort destination that it is today,” held by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
Dolly shares health update
On October 8, following her initial statement and her sister’s heartfelt post, Dolly took to Instagram to share an update.
“I know lately everyone thinks I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you!” while sitting on the set of a commercial for the Grand Ole Opry.
The country singer went on to say “I appreciate your prayers because I’m a person of faith… but I want you to know that I’m doing okay”.
Dolly explained that when her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, got sick she neglected her own health and “let a lot of things go that [she] should have been taking care of”. When she finally got around to seeing her GP it was a wake up call that she needed to slow down. She highlighted that her “health challenges” were “nothing major”.
Dolly has had a hectic year
In March 2025, Dolly shared the news of the passing of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean. Following his death, the singer took a break from writing.
“Several things I’ve wanted to start, but I can’t do it,” she said on Khloé Kardashian’s podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land, in July 2025. “I will later, but I’m just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas. But I think I won’t finish it. I can’t do it right now, because I got so many other things, and I can’t afford the luxury of getting that emotional right now.”
In an Instagram, Dolly wrote that she fell in love with Carl Dean when she was 16 years old.
“Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story.”
This residency in Las Vegas was her biggest venture this year.
“I haven’t worked Vegas in years and I’ve always loved singing there,” Dolly said in a statement announcing the residency. “To say I’m excited would be an understatement. I’m looking so forward to the shows… and I hope you are as well. See you there!”
Dolly has been open about her health over the years
It hasn’t been confirmed that the “health challenges” she is dealing with are. Although there are reports that it is kidney stones. However, Dolly has been open in the past about her cosmetic procedures, famously saying, “You’ve just got to be very careful not to overdo it.”
Furthermore, the ‘9 to 5’ singer has spoken about her struggles with endometriosis throughout her life. In 1982, she had to cancel a tour due to the chronic condition.
Dolly Parton also revealed more in her book Dolly on Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis. Furthermore, she was forced to undergo a partial hysterectomy in her early to mid-30s as a result.
“Suddenly, I was a middle-aged woman. I went through a dark time, until I made myself snap out of it.”
This diagnosis and subsequent surgery hit the Jolene singer hard; she told Closer, “It was an awful time for me. Every day I thought, ‘I wish I had the nerve to kill myself.’
In an episode of the podcast series Dolly Parton’s America, she also shared her struggles with mental health in the 1980s.
“I was going through the change of life, I was having a lot of female problems,” she shared in an episode in 2019. “I’d been going through a whole lot of family things, just the stress, the heartache… I was just broken down.”
When is Dolly Parton’s Las Vegas concert?
As mentioned above, her Las Vegas concert series has been delayed, not cancelled.
Originally, the shows were meant to happen in December 2025. However, now they are being pushed to September 2026.
For more information, head here.
If you’re going through a hard time right now, the Beyond Blue Support Service offers a free and confidential counselling service. You can call them on 1300 224 636, chat online, or email them 24/7.
