Dolly Parton’s sister issues update after alarming health concerns

Dolly Parton’s sister Freida Parton has moved to clarify matters having caused a scare after revealing she was “up all night praying” for the country icon’s recovery.

With Parton being the national icon she is, it’s hardly a surprise that her legion of fans interpreted the update as being a possible precursor to more morbid news. Dolly, readers will remember, has endured a host of health issues of late, forcing her to cancel a number of shows.

Freida Parton took to Facebook on Tuesday with a heartfelt message that revealed just how worried she’s been.

“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” Freida wrote. “Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately.”

While Freida didn’t go into details about Dolly’s condition, her post came just a week after the beloved 79-year-old singer postponed her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency due to medical issues.

“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,” Dolly explained in an Instagram post. “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.”

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 28: Dolly Parton attends “Dolly: An Original Musical” fireside chat and press conference at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on January 28, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Only last month, Dolly spoke candidly about having a kidney stone that led to an infection, forcing her to miss a Dollywood event in Tennessee.

Indeed, 2025 has proven to be a difficult year for Dolly Parton. Carl Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years, passed away in March, age 82. Following Freida’s message to the public, fans were left fearing for Dolly, now 79.

Yet her sister’s now issued another update in a bid to quell the concerns, insisting she didn’t mean to “scare” anyone regarding Dolly’s health.

“I want to clear something up,” Freida, 68, wrote in a social media post.

Dolly Parton 1977 during Dolly Parton File Photos in London, California. (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)

“I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly.”

Freida then clarified that Dolly has “been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister.”

We’re sending all our love and prayers in Dolly’s direction! Get well soon!

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