Dolly Parton made a rare public appearance as Dollywood kicked off its 41st season, sharing personal updates about her health and addressing rumors surrounding her dating life.
The country music icon delivered the keynote speech during opening day celebrations at the Tennessee theme park. Parton, 80, appeared alongside Dollywood Company President Eugene Naughton and used the moment to address fans who had followed recent speculation about her personal life.
Parton also reflected on the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, while discussing the time she spent focusing on her health in recent months.
Dolly Parton Jokes About Dating Rumors During Dollywood Appearance
During the opening ceremony, Parton joked about rumors that had circulated online about her love life. While standing on stage with Naughton, she addressed speculation that she had remarried.
“I bet some of you thought [Eugene’s] probably my new husband that you read about,” Parton told the crowd in video footage shared by WVLT 8.
She continued by referencing one of the more unusual rumors circulating about her.
“There’s a lot of rumors going around, but I did not marry Sylvester Stallone, did you see that one? And I’m not dating anybody,” Parton said.
“I’m not married. I don’t think I’ll ever be married but once.”
Parton was married to Dean for 58 years before his death on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82.
The singer shared that she still feels deeply connected to her late husband.
“I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me on the other side,” Parton said. “If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that.”
She continued with a humorous remark about how Dean might react.
“He’d be saying, ‘Who’s that little pisser? You leave him outside the gates, and if the Lord wants him in, He’ll bring him. You get on in here with me.’”
The Country Music Legend Shares Health Update After Canceling Appearances
Parton also addressed concerns about her health after she canceled several public appearances in recent months.
“I’ve not been touring, as you know. I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them,” she told the crowd.
The singer explained that she needed time to recover both physically and emotionally after Dean’s passing.
“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. But all is good. It didn’t slow me down.”
Parton previously shared details about the health issues that led her to step back from public appearances.
“I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, turned out it’d given me an infection… my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures,” she said in November.
In the months following Dean’s death, Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency and missed several events, including Dollywood’s Hall of Fame ceremony hosted by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions in November 2025. She also did not attend her planned 80th birthday concert at the Grand Ole Opry in January.
Parton first announced Dean’s death in a message shared on Instagram.
“Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville,” she wrote at the time. “He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending.”
She added, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.”
