Dolly Partoncelebrated the opening day of her Dollywood theme park for the 2026 season. The moment, which took place on Friday, March 13, served as the country music icon’s first major in-person appearance since announcing her health struggles late last year.
During her time on stage, where she was accompanied by the president of the Dollywood Company, Eugene Naughton, Parton took time to address her health for the first time in front of an audience from a public stage.
“I've been missing you, have you missed me?” The 80-year-old country music icon asked the audience, as seen in the YouTube video above. “…I’ve been up to a lot…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 [Dean] and a lot of other little things going on."
Parton explained that during her time away from the public eye, she needed to work on building "myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically.”
“But all is good,” she promised. “It didn't slow me down."
Dolly Parton Postponed a Run of Shows in 2025
Parton’s statements come after she was forced to postpone her six-night engagement at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Dolly: Live in Las Vegas (those shows have now been moved to September 2026). In a Sept. 28, 2025, post on Instagram, the “Jolene” singer/songwriter opened up about some health challenges that were keeping her from performing live.
"I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,” she began in a lengthy message to her fans. “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!"
View this post on Instagram“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,” she continued. “You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you. While I'll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show-ready, as they say."
In that same message, Parton assured fans that she wasn’t planning on slowing down.
"Don't worry about me quittin' the business because God hasn't said anything about stopping yet," she wrote. "But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding."
Parton shared that same attitude during her stop at the Pigeon Forge, Tenn., cultural attraction, which is in it's 41st season. She told fans that she is in the midst of working on her autobiographical Broadway musical, Dolly: A True Original Musical. She also mentioned her recently released collaborative song on “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” which features Parton alongside Miley Cyrus, Lainey Wilson, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire.
“Be ready for me, I ain’t done,” she said.
Related: 1974 No 1. Hit Ranked a Greatest ‘Love Song of All Time’ Turns 52 Years Old Today
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