Country megastar Dolly Parton assured fans she’s taking care of herself after facing a series of health issues while grieving her late husband, Carl Dean.
The 80-year-old singer offered the update on Friday during the opening day celebration of her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood. The park kicked off its 41st season since opening in 1986.
The update comes after she postponed a string of concerts last year, citing her health.
“I’ve been up to a lot,” she said of the last six months, per footage of her keynote address shared by WVLT 8.
“I’ve not been touring, as you know,” Parton continued. “I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.”
Parton also touched on life without Dean, whom she was married to for nearly six decades before his death in March 2025. He was 82 years old.
“I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” Parton said. “I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically.”
Despite all of her challenges, Patron proclaimed that everything “is good. It didn’t slow me down.”
The country crooner also joked about Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company, as he joined her onstage. She told fans not to confuse him for a romantic interest before confirming that she is not dating anyone new.
“I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me,” she said. “If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that. He’d be saying, ‘Who’s that little pisser? You leave him outside the gates.'” – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
