Country music superstar Dolly Parton has moved to quash rumours about her wellbeing as she celebrates her 80th birthday, firmly stating she has no intention of slowing her legendary career.
"I feel like I'm just getting started"
In a recent interview, the Grammy-winning icon brushed aside concerns about her age, which she marked on Monday. Speaking to People, Parton emphasised she remains energised by the future. "People say, 'Well, you're going to be 80 years old.' Well, so what? Look at all I've done in 80 years," she declared. "I feel like I'm just getting started."
While acknowledging that health is the ultimate deciding factor, the singer behind hits like 9 to 5 reassured fans about her current condition. "I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine," she added.
Addressing the speculation and missed events
Fears for Parton's health were reignited earlier this month when she revealed she would not attend a special 80th birthday concert held in her honour at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry on January 17. This followed months of worried speculation, particularly after her sister, Freida, asked the public for prayers in October while the singer was dealing with an undisclosed illness.
At that time, Parton swiftly allayed concerns by posting a video from an advert shoot, cheerfully telling fans, "I ain't dead yet!" However, known health issues did force the postponement of her Las Vegas residency from December 2025 to September 2026 and led to her withdrawing from several public events late last year.
Regarding the Opry no-show, a representative for Parton clarified the situation to the Daily Mail: "She was never intending to be there and she was never promoted to be there, so she's not pulling out of anything. She was never going." The representative noted the Opry has held an annual birthday concert for her for the last four years, and she only attended the first one.
A history of recent health challenges
Parton first publicly discussed facing medical issues in September 2024 when announcing the postponement of her Las Vegas shows, citing "some health challenges." The situation escalated when her sister Freida's online plea for prayers caused widespread alarm, though Freida later clarified she never meant to imply it was gravely serious and was simply acting on her belief in "the power of prayer."
In an Instagram video promoting the Opry concert she would not attend, Parton sent her love to the performers and audience. "I wish I could be there in person, but I'll be sending you all my love for sure," she said. The concert featured artists including Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill.
It has been confirmed that the beloved entertainer, whose husband of 59 years, Carl Dean, passed away in March 2024, has been battling kidney stones. Despite this, her message as she enters her ninth decade is one of resilience and forward momentum, assuring her global fanbase that the show is far from over.
