In a heartfelt update during Dollywood’s grand opening, Dolly Parton spoke candidly about her recent health struggles that had delayed her Las Vegas residency. Reflecting on the toll of mourning her beloved husband, Carl Dean, she noted feeling ‘worn down’ but emphasized her commitment to nurturing her spiritual, emotional, and physical health.
In her first major public appearance since canceling her Las Vegas residency in 2025 amid unspecified health concerns, Dolly Parton has shared an update on her health. Last September, Parton announced she was postponing her Las Vegas residency due to “health challenges.”
Dolly Parton is taking good care of her health
Parton, 80, opened up about her health and her journey during a keynote speech on opening day at her theme park, Dollywood, on Friday, March 13. This year’s theme park season marks the 41st since the Tennessee theme park opened. “I’ve not been touring, as you know,” Parton said, as seen in footage of the speech shared by WVLT 8. “I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.”“I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” Parton explained. “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.”For her first major public appearance in months, Parton stunned in a corseted dress and wore her platinum-blond hair in a signature, voluminous updo. Her cheerful appearance came two months after Parton was forced to skip her 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry due to ongoing health struggles.
Dolly Parton believes Carl Dean is waiting for her
After joking that fans shouldn’t confuse Dollywood Company President Eugene Naughton, with whom she shared the stage, with her “new husband,” she confirmed that she is “not dating anybody” since Dean’s demise. “I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me,” she said before adding, “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? You leave him outside the gates.’ ”
