LOS ANGELES — A spirited Dolly Parton took to Instagram Wednesday to emphatically declare “I ain’t dead yet!” after her sister’s emotional plea for prayers sent the country music legend’s millions of fans into a panic over her health.
In a video posted to her official account, the 79-year-old Queen of Country appeared in good spirits from what looked like a photo studio, directly addressing widespread rumors about her condition.
“There are just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay,” Parton said in the clip. “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working.”
The reassuring message came one day after her younger sister Freida Parton sparked alarm with a Facebook post that many interpreted as suggesting the beloved entertainer’s recent health problems were life-threatening.
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” Freida had written Tuesday. “Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.”
Though Freida later clarified she “didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious,” the damage was done, with fans fearing the worst for one of America’s most cherished entertainers.
In her Instagram response, Parton acknowledged she had been neglecting her health following the death of her longtime husband Carl Dean, but insisted her medical issues were manageable.
“I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here,” she said, gesturing around the studio. “Nothing major. But I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home” for medical care.
Last week, Parton postponed six sold-out December concerts at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, citing unspecified “health challenges” and revealing she needed to undergo multiple medical procedures. She rescheduled the performances for September 2026.
“But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying,” Parton said in Wednesday’s video. “Those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate and I appreciate your prayers, because I’m a person of faith, I can always use the prayers for anything and everything, but I want you to know that I’m okay.”
The Grammy-winning performer rose to stardom in the 1970s with hits like “Coat of Many Colors” and later penned classics including “I Will Always Love You” — famously covered by Whitney Houston — and “9 to 5.” Her decorated career has spanned more than five decades.
Parton is slated to receive an honorary Oscar next month, though Hollywood trade publication Variety reported she is no longer expected to attend the Los Angeles ceremony due to her health concerns.
With her characteristic blend of humor and honesty, the country icon’s direct response appears to have successfully calmed fears while demonstrating that her fighting spirit remains very much intact.
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