Dolly Parton, the iconic country singer, has been experiencing some health challenges recently, but her sister, Freida Parton, has reassured fans that she is “going to be just fine.” Dolly, who is 79 years old, was diagnosed with a kidney stone, which led her to cancel a Dollywood event and postpone her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency.
Freida initially caused some concern when she posted online about being “up all night praying” for her sibling, who “hasn’t been feeling her best lately.” However, she later clarified on Facebook that she didn’t mean to alarm anyone. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” she wrote. She explained that Dolly had been “a little under the weather” and that she simply asked for prayers because of her strong belief in the power of prayer. “It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister.”
Freida also thanked everyone for their support, saying, “Your love truly makes a difference.”
Kidney stones are solid masses or crystals that form from substances like minerals, acids, and salts in the kidneys. They can range in size from as small as a grain of sand to, rarely, larger than a golf ball. Larger kidney stones can cause various symptoms, including:
- Pain in the side of your tummy (abdomen) or groin – men may have pain in their testicles
- A high temperature
- Feeling sweaty
- Severe pain that comes and goes
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Blood in your urine
- Urine infection
Dolly had been scheduled to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in December, marking her first Las Vegas residency since the 1990s. However, the concerts have now been rescheduled for September next year as she undergoes “a few procedures” to address ongoing “health challenges.”
This news comes during a difficult year for the country icon, who lost her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, earlier in 2025. Parton later dedicated a deeply personal song, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” to his memory.
Dolly Parton’s past health struggles
Although Parton is known for her vibrant energy and optimism, she has been open about her private health battles over the years. In 1982, she had to cancel a tour due to severe abdominal pain and bleeding, which led to a diagnosis of endometriosis. This condition occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing pain and other complications. Parton eventually underwent a partial hysterectomy, a surgery that removes the uterus.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the womb lining grow in other parts of the body, usually on the ovaries, outside the womb, and on the fallopian tubes. This tissue breaks down and bleeds during your period, which can cause severe pain – although this pain can occur outside of menstruation too. For example, you can get pain in your lower tummy and back, pain during sex, extreme fatigue, and pain of bleeding in your chest and shortness of breath. There is no cure for this condition.
Source: NHS
The procedure left her unable to have children, something she addressed with grace and perspective. “I can’t have children physically,” she told Gloria Steinem in a 1987 interview. “I love children. I don’t know that it also wasn’t God’s will for me not to have kids. Somebody has to be out there entertaining other people’s children.”
Dolly Parton’s history of mental illness
The surgery took a heavy toll on Parton’s mental health. In a 2018 interview with Closer, she reflected on that period, saying, “It was a really bad time. I fell into a depression.” She later credited her faith for helping her find meaning in the experience. “Sometimes God just has to smack you down,” she said. “He was almost saying, ‘Sit your pretty little ass down because we have to deal with some stuff!’”
In 2019, Parton spoke even more openly about her mental health in the acclaimed podcast “Dolly Parton’s America.” Recalling the early 1980s, she described a time when she felt utterly overwhelmed by health problems, weight gain, and emotional stress. “I was just broken down,” she said. “There was just several things going on at that time.” The singer admitted that she had even contemplated suicide, but ultimately found strength in her faith and her deep connection with God.
“Everything was just confusing to me, and I was angry and unhappy,” she said. “I just said, ‘You’re going to have to get me some answers or I’m getting out of here.’”
Today, despite her current health struggles, Parton’s family and fans are confident she’ll bounce back with the resilience that has defined her six-decade career.
