Dolly Parton Addresses Concerns for Her Health in New Video: ‘I Ain’t Dead Yet!’

Dolly Parton assured fans she “ain’t dead yet” amid concerns for her health.

A day after Dolly’s younger sister, Freida Parton, wrote on social media that she had been “up all night praying” for the country icon, the “Jolene” singer shared a new video updating fans on her recent health issues.

The country icon, 79, began her video by revealing that she was on set doing commercials for the Grand Ole Opry, and that “lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am.”

“Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here!” she went on. “Anyway, I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease, those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate.” Dolly added, “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.”

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The Grammy winner explained that some of her health “problems” can be traced back to the days surrounding the passing of her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, who died on March 3 at the age of 82.

“Back when my husband Carl was very sick, that was for a long time, and then when he passed, I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should’ve been taking care of,” Dolly revealed. “So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that. Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt, where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there, but I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”

“There’s just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was OK,” she continued. “So anyhow, that’s what I wanted to say, and I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring, and keep praying for me.”

After Dolly announced last week that she would have to postpone her Las Vegas residency due to health reasons, Freida sparked concern among her sister’s fans by asking for prayers for her health.

“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” she wrote on Facebook Tuesday. “Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.”

Freida 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 sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

Soon after her first post, Freida returned with a clarifying statement, saying, “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly.”

She went on to explain that while her sister had been “a little under the weather,” she “simply asked for prayers” because she believes “so strongly in the power of prayer.” Freida assured, “It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister.”