Dolly Parton has provided a fresh update on her health following a series of recent event cancellations, revealing that she is continuing to recover from medical issues she previously neglected while caring for her late husband, per parade.com.
Speaking to People on Friday, August 21, the 80-year-old country music legend acknowledged experiencing difficult times over the past few years.
Parton explained that she had pushed her own medical concerns aside while looking after Carl Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years, prior to his death in March 2025. She noted that while health setbacks are not new to her, increased social media attention has amplified her current recovery process.
The update follows Parton’s absence from the August 14 unveiling of the NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood in Tennessee, where she appeared only via a prerecorded video. Her schedule has faced multiple adjustments due to treatments causing occasional dizziness, alongside immune and digestive issues. Despite these setbacks, Parton made a surprise public appearance on June 24 for the opening of a travel stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, and assured fans that she continues to work on music, an upcoming Broadway musical and early-stage avatar performance concepts.