Dolly Parton is giving a new update on her health. After first postponing her Dolly: Live in Las Vegas residency, originally scheduled for late 2025, due to her health, the 80-year-old says that, unfortunately, fans will be unable to see her perform in Las Vegas.
“I have some good news, and a little bad news,” Parton says in a new video shared on social media. “But the good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments. And I’m improving every day. The bad news is it’s going to take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level, because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say.
“And of course, I can’t be swimmy-headed carrying around banjos and guitars and such on five-inch heels,” she continues. “And you know that I’m going to be wearing them. Not to mention all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair, my big…personality. Lord, that would make anybody swimmy-headed. Just think of me like an old classic car that, once restored, can be better than ever.”
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Dolly Parton Reveals Some Of Her Health Problems
Parton goes on to say that when they raised the proverbial hood on her, they realized that she needed to rebuild her engine, which is why she took some time away.
“I’ve told you before that I’ve always had problems with my kidney stones. Lord, they dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee,” Parton quips. “But seriously, 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. And hopefully, I’ll be up to snuff again soon.”
Parton adds that she is still actively involved in various projects, including making videos, recording new music, working on Dollywood, and her Nashville hotel that is slated to open later this year. She is also getting her Broadway musical ready to open in New York City. Sadly, she will be unable to perform in Las Vegas as she had hoped.
“I am truly sorry, but I’m going to miss all of you that had tickets to see me in Las Vegas,” Parton says. “Well, you get on to Vegas, and you have a big time. And hopefully, sometime you’ll come up to New York and maybe see my show, and I’ll see you somewhere down the line.”
Dolly Parton Opens Up About Life Without Her Husband, Carl
The Country Music Hall of Fame member also shares what life has been like in the year since her husband, Carl Dean, passed away.
“I just want you to know, also, that a lot of you have been concerned about me and Carl,” Parton says. “You were so great about that. But after going through a year of firsts, the holidays, and especially our wedding anniversary, and the day of his death, March 3. That was hard for me. But I will always love him, and I’ll always miss him. But you would be surprised at how much your love and concern meant to me during that time. … You have been a big part of my healing.”
Parton concludes by telling her fans that she fully expects to make a return to performing, as soon as she is well enough.
“I have great doctors, and I’m doing really well,” she says. “And they assure me that everything I have is treatable. So I’m going with that. And I just want you to know, I think you for standing by me, and I will always love you.”