Over the past few months, fears have grown for the health of the 79 year-old country music legend Dolly Parton. These concerns were spurred at the end of September when Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency from December of this year to September of 2026 due to health issues.
On Thursday, Parton spoke out to offer fans an emotional Thanksgiving message.
Parton’s Thanksgiving Message
“Well hey! It’s Dolly here, and I want to wish all of you and your family blessings this Thanksgiving,” Parton said in the video posted to her Instagram page. “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,” she concluded.
In the caption, Parton wrote, “Wishing you and your family blessings this Thanksgiving ❤️.”
Check out Parton’s full video below.
Fans Respond
Fans were quick to show their support for Parton in the comments section.
“You’ve been a sweet comfort to me since my childhood,” one fan commented. “You are a shining beacon of light and hope in this dark world and like so many, I love you Dolly! Wishing you every bit of good, light, and love this holiday season and always🥰❤️🧡💛💚💙💜.”
“Happy thanksgiving dolly! thankful for you!” a second fan added. A third wrote, “And we will ALWAYS love you dear Dolly!”
“Dolly , Happy Thanksgiving,” a fourth fan commented. “I know how hard it is to have vacant spot at the table. Wishing you a blessed day with your family. 🦃🥧.”
This was a reference to the death of Parton’s husband Carl Dean. He passed away in March of this year at the age of 82. At the time of his death, Dean and Parton had been married for nearly 60 years, as they tied the knot in 1966.
Parton’s ‘Health Challenges’
This comes days after Parton accepted her induction into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Sadly, she was forced to do so virtually due to her health concerns.
“Well hey there, it’s Dolly,” Parton said in that video, which was also posted to Instagram. “And 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.”
Parton went on to thank her Dollywood partners Jack and Peter Herschend for helping to make her dreams come true.
“I trust them, and they trust me, and they always listen when I come in with one of my big ideas and dreams,” Parton gushed. “And somehow the amazing team at Dollywood finds a way to make those dreams come true.”
Check out Parton’s full comments on this in the video below.
Parton Postpones Her Residency
This comes after Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency from December of this year to September of 2026. Days before that, Parton canceled a public appearance due to a kidney stone-related infection.
On October 8, Parton took to Instagram to post a video in which she tried to assure her fans that she’s doing well.
“Lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick?” Parton said in the video. “I let a lot of things go that I should’ve been taking care of. So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, ‘We need to take care of this. We need to take care of that.’ Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home. But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”
“But anyway, there’s just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay,” she concluded. “So anyhow, that’s what I wanted to say, and I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working. I love you for caring and keep praying for me.”
Check out Dolly’s full comments on this in the video below.
This has clearly been a very difficult time for Parton. Please join us in saying a prayer for her.
God bless you, Dolly Parton!