Dolly Parton Hides Heath Scare from Fans Months After Husband’s Death
Legendary country star and national treasure Dolly Parton recently revealed she quietly went through a health scare but chose to keep it under wraps so as not to worry her fans.
On September 17, Parton shared a video message with attendees at her Dollywood theme park as they celebrated the grand opening of its latest attraction, the Night Flight Expedition ride. In the clip, Parton explained why she wasn’t there in person for the event, a rare absence for the hands-on icon who is usually front and center at her beloved park.
Her absence raised concern, as Parton is famously hands-on with Dollywood, and the new Night Flight Expedition had been touted as the park’s “single most ambitious adventure” yet.
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“Hello Dollywood! It’s me,” the video begins. “I know! I’m here, and you’re there. And you’re wondering why that is? Well, I had a little problem.”
“I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, turned out it’d given me an infection,” said the “Jolene” singer. “The doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better.’
“So, he suggested I not go to Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit,” she added. “I was looking so forward to it.”
“I just want to say that I’m sorry I can’t be there in person,” Parton concluded in the message. “I want you to have a good time today.”
Dolly Parton’s message at @Dollywood today. She couldn’t be here for their announcement because she is dealing with a kidney stone, but says she will be fine! pic.twitter.com/4XtB38sR9S
— Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) September 17, 2025
Kidney stones are a persistent issue for Parton. On her official site, there is a statement from 2015 that accounts for the time she had three kidney stones removed. “It is true that I had kidney stones. I had them removed three weeks ago and I am doing just fine! I am back to work and last week I was at Dollywood filming parts for my new movie ‘Coat of Many Colors,” said the singer at the time.
News of the singer’s health issues follows the passing of her husband Carl Dean after 60 years of marriage.
In a touching Instagram post, Parton paid tribute to her husband, who hid from the spotlight during the majority of their marriage. “I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him: ‘If You Hadn’t Been There.'”
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