Dolly Parton’s sister asks for prayers after country star postpones Las Vegas residency due to ‘health challenges’
Dolly Parton’s sister has shared an update regarding the country music legend’s worrying health issues.
Freida Parton, 68, took to social media to ask for prayers for her 79-year-old sister days after the Queen of Country postponed her Las Vegas residency.
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” Freida began in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Oct. 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,” Freida continued alongside a photo of Parton praying. “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,” she ended her touching post. “We all love you!”
The “9 to 5” singer announced that she was postponing her Las Vegas residency dates in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Parton revealed that the six upcoming shows scheduled for the Colosseum at Caesars Palace would be pushed from December of this year to September 2026 so she can focus on her health.
“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,” the multi-Grammy winner explained. “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!”
“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,” she continued. “You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”
Parton went on to tell her millions of fans not to “worry about me quittin'” 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 all of you,” she concluded her message. “I love you and thank you for understanding.”
The “Coat of Many Colors” singer announced her first Las Vegas residency in more than 30 years back in June.
“To say I’m excited would be an understatement. I haven’t worked Vegas in years and I’ve always loved singing there,” she said in a press release at the time. “I’m looking so forward to the shows in the Colosseum at Caesars and I hope you are as well.”
This wasn’t the first time Parton has been forced to postpone an event due to health issues: She skipped a Dollywood event last month due to painful kidney stones.
Parton told her fans in a pre-recorded video message that she was under her doctor’s orders not to travel.
“Turns out there was an infection,” she explained. “And the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling around this minute … You need a few days to feel better.’ So he suggested I not go to Dollywood today.”
The country music icon’s health issues follow husband Carl Dean’s death on March 3 at the age of 82.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” a heartbroken Parton wrote on social media after Dean’s passing. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.”
“Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” she concluded.