Dolly Parton Breaks Silence On Health Scare With Bold Declaration

Dolly Parton says she's not quitting anytime soon after sparking concerns with the postponement of her Las Vegas residency.

The singer, widely regarded as the "Queen of Country," addressed her health scare in a new interview. She assured fans that she is here to stay unless fate has other plans.

Dolly Parton has been through a tough year following the death of her longtime partner, Carl Dean. Her spouse of over five decades died in March 2025 at the age of 82; months later, the "Jolene" hitmaker's sister caused her panic with a plea for prayers.

Parton, who is set to turn 80 in January 2026, revealed in a new interview that people often brought up her upcoming age. Their words seemed to imply that she should be slowing down close to her eighties; however, the country music icon did not believe her age determined when she would retire.

"I feel like I'm just getting started. I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine," Parton declared. She noted that age was all about one's mindset, claiming people would feel old if they allowed themselves to get old.

"I say, 'I ain't got time to get old!' I ain't got time to dwell on that. That's not what I'm thinking about," Parton told PEOPLE in her cover story for the outlet. Instead of focusing on her upcoming age, she prioritized reflecting on her achievements and remaining grateful for her successes.

Parton's positive nature and signature humor were the tools that paved the path to success alongside her resilience and determination to make her dreams a reality. Fans can learn more about her journeys to fame in her book, "Star of the Show: My Life on Stage," out now.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree reflected on the creative process behind the memoir, noting that she didn't realize how much she had sacrificed for her career until she put the book together. "I'm thankful that I got to see my dreams come true," she said.

Parton added that she had pretty much been speeding through life to become the star millions adored. Although she was the type to push forward no matter the situation, she was forced to take a step back to recover in September amid her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency.

The entertainer's sister, Freida Parton, caused a panic on social media after asking for prayers. The Blast covered the story, reporting that she penned a cryptic message about Dolly's condition in a Facebook post.

Freida asked fans to pray for Dolly, noting that she believed their prayers and well-wishes would grant the singer a speedy recovery. Naturally, many assumed she meant Dolly's condition was more severe than she initially let on, leading to a mass panic.

Following the confusion and concerns, Freida clarified the intent behind her post. She apologized for misleading fans with her words, stressing that she believed in the power of prayer and only wanted people to join her in praying for Dolly's well-being.

Fans were spooked by Parton's sister's post because it came on the heels of her Las Vegas residency postponement. The Blast shared that Parton broke the news on Instagram, revealing that the show could not go on due to her health.

Parton explained that doctors had told her she needed a few procedures, joking that it would be her 100,000-mile checkup, but without a plastic surgeon. She apologized to fans, stating that she could not push herself to perform or meet up with the taxing rehearsals.

On that note, Parton assured fans that she wouldn't quit but return bigger and bolder than ever. She asked for their understanding, offering refunds to those who needed them, while old tickets would remain valid for the new residency dates.

Besides her health scare, Parton sparked concerns following the death of her longtime partner, Dean, in March. The Blast reported in October that her late husband's will showcased his feelings for the singer, including a deep sense of trust.

Dean's will was revealed when Parton filed to become the executor of his estate, per his wishes. He signed the will in 2013 and never amended it before his death, naming Parton as the trustee of the Carl Thomas Dean trust, the sole beneficiary of his estate.

The document also stipulated that Parton would get all of Dean's rights, title, and interest in any personal effects relating to her music and entertainment career. Additionally, he made arrangements for if his wife passed before him, naming his niece the executor of his estate in that scenario.