Country music legend Dolly Parton is clearing the air after her sister’s heartfelt prayer request sent fans into a worried frenzy. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the 79-year-old icon made one thing crystal clear: she’s doing just fine, thank you very much.
“Everyone thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here!” Parton said in a video while filming commercials for the Grand Ole Opry. Dressed in her signature country western style, she wanted to put everyone’s mind at ease about rumors swirling around her health. “I ain’t dead yet!”
The whole situation kicked off when Dolly’s sister Freida Parton posted on Facebook Tuesday, saying she had been “up all night praying” for her sister. Naturally, fans started worrying big time. Freida wrote that she believes in the “power of prayer” and asked everyone who loves Dolly to be “prayer warriors” for the beloved singer.
Now, to be fair, Dolly has been dealing with some health stuff. She revealed that after her husband Carl passed away earlier this year, she didn’t take care of herself and “let a lot of things go” that needed attention. Her doctors told her it was time to address a few things, which is why she postponed her Las Vegas residency shows originally scheduled for December.
“I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt, where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there,” Dolly explained. But she was quick to reassure everyone that it’s nothing major.
Meanwhile, Freida later clarified her initial post, saying she “didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious”. She explained her sister was just a little under the weather, and she simply wanted to ask for prayers because that’s what little sisters do.
Dolly wrapped up her message with typical humor and spirit. “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working,” she said, adding that she’s not dead yet and appreciates all the prayers and concern from fans.
The bottom line? Dolly Parton’s health might need some attention, but she’s definitely not going anywhere anytime soon. She’s still got work to do, and knowing Dolly, she’ll be back on stage before we know it.
