Dolly Parton shares health update after feeling 'worn down and worn out'

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Dolly Parton "ain’t done" working anytime soon.

The "Jolene" hitmaker, 80, gave fans a health update at a keynote address during the opening day of her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood.

"I’ve been missing you," she told fans on March 13, according to footage of the speech from local news outlet WVLT. Amid the park’s 41st season, Parton said she’d "been up to a lot," including writing new songs for her upcoming Broadway musical.

"I have been not touring, as you know. I’ve had a few little health issues and we’re taking good care of them," Parton says. "I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on. I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally and physically. But all is good. It didn’t slow me down."

Despite health issues, Dolly Parton is keeping busy

Parton had good reason to assure fans. In September, when she postponed her Las Vegas concerts due to "a few procedures," her sister’s call for prayers sparked concern about the severity of her health challenges. Parton quipped back on social media: "I ain’t dead yet!"

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Addressing fans in an Oct. 8 video on Instagram, Parton clarified she is doing "OK" but has "some problems" to deal with and needs to have a "few treatments." Parton later told fans that after her husband died earlier this year, she "didn't take care of" herself and "let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of." In November, Parton was inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Hall of Fame, but was not able to attend due to health issues.

Parton turned 80 on Jan. 19. Country’s biggest names turned out to share stories and celebrate, including Lainey Wilson and Keith Urban. But the singer herself adopted a laissez-faire attitude toward the milestone.

"Everybody says, 'Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.' Well, so what?" she told People in an interview. "Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started."

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The "9 to 5" songstress continued: "I know that sounds stupid, but I think there's a lot to be said about age. If you allow yourself to get old, you will. I say, 'I ain’t got time to get old!' I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about."

Parton remains busy expanding her musical, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," for Broadway stages this year. She told fans she’s writing new songs and rewriting existing ones.

Dolly Parton shuts down dating rumors: 'Carl Dean is waiting for me on the other side'

Parton was also quick to clear any dating rumors, including those involving her onstage companion, Dollywood President Eugene Naughton. Carl Dean Thomas, Parton’s husband of over 60 years, died at age 82 in March 2025.

"I know there’s a lot of rumors going around, but I did not marry Sylvester Stallone and I’m not dating anybody. I’m not married. I don’t think I’ll ever be married but once." Parton said. "I think Carl Dean is waiting for me on the other side. If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that. He’d be saying 'Who’s that little pisser?'"