Dolly Parton has said she’s been building herself back up “spiritually, physically and emotionally” after facing a series of health issues while grieving her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
The 80-year-old country star, who postponed a string of concerts last year to undergo unspecified medical treatment, appeared in good spirits during a keynote speech at her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood, on Friday (March 13), saying she had been “worn down and worn out” in past months.
“I’ve not been touring, as you know,” Parton told the audience, as seen in footage shared by WVLT 8. “I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.”
The “9 to 5” singer said she had needed to rebuild her strength after her husband of 58 years died in March 2025 at age 82.
“I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” she said. “But, all is good. It didn’t slow me down.”
Parton then made a joke that fans shouldn’t confuse Dollywood Company President Eugene Naughton, who was on stage with her, as her “new husband.” She clarified that she is “not dating anybody” since Dean’s death.
“I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me,” she said. “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.’”
Fans were concerned about Parton when she cancelled a series of public appearances to undergo medical treatment at the end of last year, including postponing her Las Vegas residency by a year until September 2026.
In October, Parton’s sister, Freida Parton, sparked further concern among fans when she shared a Facebook post asking fans to pray for Parton. She later clarified that she didn’t mean to scare anyone or imply anything serious with her message.
The “Jolene” singer then issued a statement, telling fans she appreciated their prayers and that she was doing “okay.”
“Back when my husband, Carl, was very sick, that was for a long time. When he passed, I didn’t take care of myself. So I let a lot of things go that I should’ve been taking care of,” she said in an Instagram video shared in October.
“Nothing major but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home and closer to Vanderbilt [University Medical Center], you know, where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there.
“There’s just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay,” Parton concluded. “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring, and keep praying for me.”
In November, when Parton was absent from her theme park’s induction to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame, she told fans she had been “dealing with a few health challenges this fall.”
“My doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while, and I’m truly sorry I can’t be there,” she said in a video clip. “I sure wanted to take the chance to say thank you for this incredible honor.”
