Dolly Parton explains health struggle in first major public appearance in months: &x27;Needed to build myself back up&x27; Joey NolfiFri, March 13, 2026 at 6:35 PM UTC 0 Dolly Parton makes first public appearance in months at DollywoodCredit: ABC WLOS News 13/YouTube Dolly Parton has returned to the public stage, as the iconic "9 to 5" and "Jolene" singersongwriter made her first major inperson appearance since announcing a health struggle late last year — which she revealed details of as she spoke to attendees on stage in Tennessee.
Dolly Parton explains health struggle in first major public appearance in months: 'Needed to build myself back up'
Joey NolfiFri, March 13, 2026 at 6:35 PM UTC
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Dolly Parton makes first public appearance in months at DollywoodCredit: ABC WLOS News 13/YouTube
Dolly Parton has returned to the public stage, as the iconic "9 to 5" and "Jolene" singer-songwriter made her first major in-person appearance since announcing a health struggle late last year — which she revealed details of as she spoke to attendees on stage in Tennessee.
Parton, 80, greeted attendees during the opening day celebration for her Dollywood theme park's landmark 41st season. The musician has held stake in the park since 1986.
"I've been up to a lot," she confirmed to the crowd, acknowledging the postponement of her Las Vegas concert dates and other public events while she recovered over the last six months.
Onstage with Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company, Parton joked that fans might've mistaken the exec for her "new husband." In addition to confirming that she's "not dating anybody" following the 2025 death of husband Carl Dean, she explained the conditions that kept her out of public life in recent months.
Dolly Parton in May 2025Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty
"I've not been touring, as you know. 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."
She added that she thinks her late husband is still watching over her from the other side.
"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.'"
The entertainer was on hand Friday at Dollywood to usher in a season that's set to include the opening of the most expensive attraction in the park's history, NightFlight Expedition, a hybrid indoor roller coaster/chute-style flume attraction that's slated to welcome riders later this year. Parton also revealed that Dollywood will launch two new stage productions as part of its annual I Will Always Love You Festival this year.
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Parton previously rescheduled a series of Las Vegas performances in September 2025, pushing back her "Dolly: Live in Las Vegas" dates from December 2025 to September 2026.
"I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts," she wrote in a statement at the time. "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. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it's not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!"
The entertainer's sister, Freida, stoked concerns in October, when she publicly urged fans to pray for Parton, though the Steel Magnolias actress quickly countered any pessimism by releasing a video of herself working on the set of an undisclosed shoot.
"Well, today's October the 8th and obviously I'm here," Parton said, shortly after her sister's post.
"I wanted you to know that I'm not dying," Parton said in her video. "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."
Still, Parton missed in November a ceremony at a major theme park convention in Orlando, Fla., where she was set to be inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame on behalf of her work with Dollywood.
On Thanksgiving Day, she shared a message thanking fans for their support amid her health issues. "Just know that I will always love you," she said at the end of the message, referencing the lyrics and title of one of her signature songs.
Also in November, Parton did not accept her honorary Oscar in person at the Academy's Governors Awards. She did, however, submit an acceptance speech via video filmed while she stood next to her Oscar.
"I've been blessed more than I ever dreamed possible," Parton said in the clip. "It's an honor just to be considered, but to receive this, that's the blessing of a lifetime. I don't take this kind of thing lightly. It makes me want to dream up new ways to help lift people up. Isn't that what we're supposed to be here for? From my heart, to yours, I truly thank you."
on Entertainment Weekly
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Source: Entertainment
Published: March 13, 2026 at 03:00PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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