Country icon Dolly Parton has offered fans a new update on how she’s doing after a difficult run of personal and health challenges in 2025, including the death of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
Parton, 80, spoke candidly about her wellbeing and the toll of grief while addressing crowds on Friday, March 13, during the opening day of the season at Dollywood. The 2025 season marks the theme park’s 41st year, and her appearance reassured many supporters who have been concerned about her recent setbacks.
“I’ve not been touring, as you know,” Parton said, as seen in footage of the speech shared by WVLT 8. “I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.”
She explained that the past year had left her feeling drained as she navigated bereavement and other pressures.
“I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” she continued, while making reference to the loss of her husband of 58 years who passed away in 2025 at the age of 82.
Parton added that she has been focused on rebuilding her strength in every sense, but emphasized she’s improving.
“I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn’t slow me down.”
While she didn’t specify the exact health issues she’s been facing, Parton appeared upbeat throughout the event and even found room for humor—particularly when the topic of romance came up.
During a lighthearted moment onstage with Dollywood Company President Eugene Naughton, she joked that people shouldn’t assume he had suddenly become her partner, before clarifying that she hasn’t pursued dating since Dean’s death.
“I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me,” she said. “If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that. He’d be saying, ‘Who’s that little pisser? You leave him outside the gates.’ ”
Dean died on March 3, 2025, and Parton stepped back from public life for a period as she mourned someone she had described as central to her world. She had been due to head back to Las Vegas for a major residency in October 2025, but later withdrew after becoming ill, with the condition not publicly detailed.
Parton has previously shared that she dealt with kidney stones the year before, though it has not been confirmed whether that experience was related to the more recent medical concerns.
When she announced the postponement, she told fans she would be delaying scheduled performances by a year to prioritize recovery and overall health.
Even though specifics remained limited, she indicated at the time that doctors had recommended additional medical work.
“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!” she quipped.
Speculation about her condition grew further about a month later when her sister, Freida, asked people on Facebook to pray for Parton—prompting Parton to respond directly to the rumors.
“I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am,” Parton said in her video, “Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here!”
She also thanked those who had reached out and said she valued the support.
“Anyway, I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease, those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate and I appreciate your prayers,” she went on, “because I’m a person of faith.”