Dolly Parton expresses gratitude to her fans amid concerning health struggles this Thanksgiving.
In a video posted on Instagram, where the 79-year-old I Will Always Love You singer styled a brown tweed top and blond hair curled up, she said, “Well, hey! It’s Dolly here, and I want to wish all of you and your family blessings this Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for all of you and for the memories that we’ve shared through the years. So Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and just know that I will always love you.”
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According to Page Six, Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency in September amid rising health concerns. At the time, she had shared that she needed to get “a few procedures” done as per her doctors.
She said, “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! In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.”
The situation was exacerbated when Parton’s sister, Freida, shared on Facebook that she stayed “up all night praying” for Parton. Freida had written, “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”
Be that as it may, when fans were alarmed and inquired about the “Jolene” singer’s health, Freida clarified the situation in her comments.
She said, “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly. She’s been a little under the weather.”
Later, the American singer-songwriter quipped on X that she “ain’t dead yet!”
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According to USA Today, Parton’s health started to worsen following her husband, Carl Dean’s, death. Back in October, the singer tried to assuage her fans’ concerns, stating that after Dean’s death, she didn’t take care of herself and “let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of.”
In the clip shared at the time, the singer acknowledged that she wanted to address her health issues head-on since “everybody thinks that I’m sicker than I am.”
She emphasized, “Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here. I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease. Those that seemed to be real concerned, which I appreciate, and I appreciate your prayers.”
Despite her deteriorating health, the 11-time Grammy awarded winner expressed to PEOPLE that she has no plans whatsoever to slow down.
She said, “People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what? Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. 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. I think there’s a lot to be said about age. If you allow yourself to get old, you will. 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.”
Per USA Today, the music icon was inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Hall of Fame in Orlando, Florida. However, owing to her existing health issues, she was not able to attend. In a video shared on Dollywood’s Instagram page, she said, “I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall, and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while. ‘m truly sorry I can’t be there, but I sure wanted to take the chance to say thank you for this incredible honor.”
Currently, Parton has not shared the specifics of her health challenges. But it seems that she has been dealing with it head-on without any complaints.