Dolly Parton sent her love to the Academy after skipping the 2025 Governors Awards on Sunday, November 16.
Parton, 79, was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award on Sunday night but did not accept her win in person at the Los Angeles ceremony. Her 9 to 5 costar Lily Tomlin stepped out on stage to present the award before Parton appeared via video from her home in Nashville.
“Well hi, everybody! I wanna thank my good buddy Lily Tomlin for presenting me with this award. Hi Lily, I love you,” Parton began. “I also want to thank the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for this great honor.”
Parton — whose gold outfit perfectly matched her new trophy — recalled her upbringing “in a house with 12 kids” and the lessons she learned along her rise to superstardom.
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“Now, that alone teaches you how important sharing is. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t have that much to share. But my mom and daddy showed me by example that the more you give, the more blessings come your way,” she continued. “I’ve tried my whole life to live by their example and I’ve been blessed more than I ever dreamed possible. Like this award tonight — The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences. It’s an honor just to be considered … I don’t take this kind of thing lightly.”
Parton called the recognition “the blessing of a lifetime,” adding, “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? So from my heart to yours, I truly thank you.”
Sunday’s award marked the first Academy win for Parton, who has previously been nominated twice for Best Original Song.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed in September that Parton would miss the ceremony despite her honor. Earlier that month, Parton postponed a series of concerts in Las Vegas due to her health.
“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000 check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!”
Parton noted that the setback meant she would not “be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see,” noting that she would continue to work from her home base in Nashville.
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“And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet,” she continued. “But I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding.”
Parton’s limited run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace was set to take place from December 4 to December 13. The shows were rescheduled for September 2026.
Amid concern over the legendary singer’s health, Parton assured her fans that she’ll be on the mend soon enough.
“I wanna say something … I know lately everybody thinks that I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you?” she said in a video shared October 8. “I’m working hard here. 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 ’cause I’m a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything. But I want you to know that I’m OK.”
Parton reiterated that her health troubles were “nothing major,” but she wanted to be closer to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she’s “having a few treatments here and there.”
“But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying,” she added, thanking fans for keeping her in their thoughts.
While Parton missed out on Sunday’s Governors Awards ceremony, fellow honorees included Debbie Allen, Tom Cruise and Wynn Thomas.
