Dolly Parton is giving fans another candid health update after dehydration kept her from appearing in person at Dollywood. The 80-year-old country icon had planned to attend Friday’s dedication of the new NightFlight Expedition ride at her Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park.
Instead, she joined the celebration through a prerecorded video message and explained why her doctor wanted her to remain in Nashville.
“I’m still in Nashville, and I’m sorry about that,” Parton said in a video shared by Knox News after being introduced by Dollywood President Eugene Naughton. “I was supposed to be in person, like we planned.”
Dolly Parton Says Her Doctor Told Her Not to Travel
Parton used a little of her trademark humor to explain the setback, appearing in the video with animated butterfly wings behind her.
“I’ve had my butterfly wings flappin’ since May 15 when we were due to open the first time, and again in June,” she said. “But I know we had to make sure this is the safest, since it is the biggest and the most expensive ride we have ever added to Dollywood. So we’re gonna open it today. That’s why I’m here [in Nashville], because my little butterfly wings are getting kinda tired.”
Parton then explained that dehydration was behind the latest change in plans.
“Now, I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I’ve had a few little health issues, and sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated,” she said. “Now I’m dehydrated, and so my Nashville doctor kind of clipped my wings, saying, ‘You ain’t traveling this week.’ So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t traveling this week, you ain’t traveling this week!”
Dolly Parton Reassures Fans About Her Health
Despite missing another Dollywood appearance, Parton offered an encouraging update. “All is going well on the medical end of things,” she said.
She also made clear that she has not stopped working. Parton said she remains involved with several projects, including the Songteller Hotel, her Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville and her upcoming Broadway musical. She signed off on an upbeat note, telling visitors, “I’ve been wanting to tell everybody about our great new ride, NightFlight Expedition, and you have fun, and I’ll see you down the road.”
Dolly Parton Has Faced Several Health Setbacks
The latest absence follows a string of health-related schedule changes. Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency in September 2025 after revealing she needed several medical procedures. She later canceled the residency entirely.
In May, she gave fans a more detailed update on her recovery. “I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day,” Parton said.
“I’ve told you before that I’ve always had problems with my kidney stones…Lord, they dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tenn. But seriously, my immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple of years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding their strength.”
Dolly Parton Says Grief Also Took a Toll
GettyParton has also spoken openly about the emotional strain that followed the 2025 death of her longtime husband, Carl Dean.
During Dollywood’s season-opening celebration in March, she acknowledged that grief had left her depleted.
“I’ve not been touring, as you know. I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them. I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” she said, as quoted by WVLT8.
Parton added, “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.”
