UPDATE — 10/8/25 at 3 a.m. ET: Dolly Parton’s sister Freida clarified her comments asking fans to pray for the singer in a new Facebook post late Tuesday, October 7.
“I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” Freida wrote. “She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”
Original story below:
Dolly Parton’s sister was incredibly concerned for her sibling among her ongoing health troubles and recently postponed Las Vegas shows that she asked fans to keep Dolly in their prayers.
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” the country music star’s sister, Freida Parton, wrote via Facebook on Tuesday, October 7. “Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.”
The heartfelt post continued, “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my silly Dolly. We all love you.”
The post comes just days after Dolly, 79, postponed her upcoming shows in Las Vegas due to “some health challenges.”
Dolly Parton Postpones Shows Amid ‘Health Challenges’: ‘Need a Little Time’
“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,” the “Jolene” singer said in a written statement shared via Instagram on September 28. “As many of you know, I have 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-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!”
She continued, “In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”
At the time, Dolly assured her fans that despite the health-related reasons for the nearly year-long postponement, she will be “able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville.”
Dolly Parton Shares Advice for Kelly Clarkson After Ex-Husband’s Death
“I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say,” the Steel Magnolias actress continued in the same written statement. “And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe he is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with you all. I love you and thank you for understanding.”
In addition to her announcement, Dolly shared the rescheduled dates for six of her upcoming Las Vegas shows previously scheduled for this upcoming December. The postponed shows are now scheduled not to take place until late September 2026.
Dolly has been navigating life without her better half for over 60 years since her husband, Carl Dean, died on March 3 at the age of 82.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” Dolly wrote at the time, confirming her husband’s death via her many social media accounts. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
