The 79-year-old icon shared an upbeat video this week explaining why she could not attend her IAAPA Hall of Fame induction at one of the biggest theme park conventions in the world.
In a message posted to Instagram, Dolly Parton told fans she has been handling “a few health challenges” this fall and was instructed by her doctors to take it slow. She added, “I’m truly sorry I can’t be there. I sure wanted to take the chance to say thank you for this incredible honor.”
Parton thanked Jack and Peter Herschend, her longtime partners who helped grow Dollywood into the Smoky Mountain staple it is today. She also reflected on the park’s beginnings, sharing, “I still remember when I had the big idea for Dollywood. I dreamed of a place right here in the Smoky Mountains where my family could perform, and where we could provide steady work for the good people in our community and where families could come and laugh, play, and have fun.”
Her video ended with a classic Dolly sign-off. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this honor, from me and from everyone who makes Dollywood what it is. Remember that I will always love you.”
This is the second event Parton has missed this week. In addition to skipping the IAAPA ceremony, she accepted her honorary Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, remotely at the Governors Awards. Standing proudly next to her golden statue, she thanked the Academy and her 9 to 5 costar Lily Tomlin and said, “I’ve been blessed more than I ever dreamed possible.
“I don’t take this kind of thing lightly,” she continued. “It makes me want to dream up new ways to help lift people up. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be here for?”
Dolly Addresses Rumors Herself
Speculation around Parton’s health grew earlier this fall when her sister, Freida Parton, asked fans to pray for the country legend. Freida later clarified she “didn’t mean to scare anyone” and that Dolly was simply “a little under the weather.”
Dolly followed up herself with a direct message to fans on Instagram.
“I wanted you to know that I’m not dying. I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working.”
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Parton revealed she had cancelled a few events to be closer to home, where she was having treatments done “here and there.” Earlier this year, she postponed her residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to 2026.
