Dolly Parton Talks Health Struggles After Husband’s Death

Dolly Parton has shared an update on her health, revealing that she has faced significant challenges after prioritizing her husband’s care over her own well-being. Parton, who lost her husband Carl Dean on March 3, 2025, explained that the grief from his passing and the emotional milestones that followed have taken a toll on her health.

Reflecting on the past year, Parton said, “After going through a year of firsts, I mean the holidays, and especially our wedding anniversary, and the date of his death, that was hard for me.” She noted that these experiences contributed to a decline in her physical health, particularly impacting her immune and digestive systems.

“My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple of years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those,” she said. In addition, Parton has been dealing with recurrent kidney stones and humorously remarked that doctors “dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee.”

Dizziness and dehydration have also compounded her health issues. During the pre-recorded appearance at the opening of Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition roller coaster on August 14, she explained her absence by stating her doctor advised her against traveling that week. “They clipped my wings,” she said, recounting how she had been forced to cancel performances, including her highly anticipated Vegas residency.

Despite these setbacks, Parton maintains a positive outlook. “The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day,” she expressed. She has faith in her medical team, noting, “I have great doctors, and they assure me that everything is treatable.”

Parton also addressed the increased scrutiny surrounding her health due to social media. “I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago,” she said. “I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”

In addition to focusing on her health, Parton is also working on several upcoming projects. The hotel will feature two live-music venues, and she is bringing “DOLLY: A True Original Musical” to Broadway, with previews set to start on December 7 at the St. James Theatre ahead of its official opening on January 19, 2027.