Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM
Dolly Parton’s sister has been forced to clarify a statement she made about the country singer’s health after sparking concern’s for her health.
In a Facebook post shared earlier this week, Freida Parton wrote that her sister “hasn’t been feeling her best lately” and asked fans to pray for her. Dolly recently postponed a Las Vegas residency scheduled for December, citing “health challenges.”
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” Freida Parton wrote in her Facebook post. “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!”
Freida’s comments led some to fear for Dolly, flooding her replies with well wishes for the songwriter behind hits “Jolene” and “9 To 5.” “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” Freida later added. “She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer … Thank you all for lifting her up.”
Parton’s manager, Olly Rowland, also stepped in and told reporters that his client had been treated for kidney stones. “It looks like her sister posted, and it got quite a bit blown out of proportion,” he said.
Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, which will mark the singer’s first extended run of concerts in the city in over 30 years, was due to begin at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on December 4. It has now been rescheduled for September 2026. Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died aged 82 in March.
