Dolly Parton is not ready for her final curtain call just yet. The 79-year-old country music legend took to social media on October 8, 2025, to quash a swirl of rumors suggesting she was gravely ill, insisting in her trademark blend of humor and candor that reports of her demise have been greatly exaggerated. In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Parton greeted fans with a twinkle in her eye and the caption, “I ain’t dead yet!”
The rumors had reached a fever pitch after her younger sister, Freida Parton, posted a prayer request on Facebook the previous day. “I’ve been up all night praying for my sister Dolly,” Freida wrote, sparking an outpouring of concern from fans worldwide. The post quickly went viral, with many interpreting it as a sign that Dolly was facing a dire health crisis. However, Freida moved swiftly to clarify her intent, later writing, “It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.” According to Gray News, Freida emphasized, “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious. She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer.”
But leave it to Dolly herself to set the record straight with a dose of good-natured wit. “I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here,” she said in her video message, as reported by Daily Voice Albany. “I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease… I want you to know that I’m okay.” The singer, songwriter, and philanthropist—whose hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5” have made her a household name—explained that while she has faced some health challenges recently, nothing is as serious as the online rumor mill would have people believe.
Parton attributed her recent health struggles to a period of self-neglect while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025 after a long illness. The couple had been married for 58 years. “When my husband Carl was very sick… and then when he passed, I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of,” she confessed. “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.”
To prioritize her well-being, Dolly canceled some professional engagements and stayed close to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she is receiving “a few treatments here and there.” She reassured fans, “I’ve got some problems, as I’ve mentioned … nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home.” Despite these setbacks, she made it clear that her work ethic remains undiminished. “I’m working hard here!” she declared, noting that she was recording the video from a set while shooting commercials for the Grand Ole Opry. “Which is why I’m dressed kind of like a country Western girl,” she joked in her message, as recounted by E! News.
Parton also took the opportunity to poke fun at a particularly outlandish rumor: an AI-generated photo circulating online that depicted her on her “deathbed” with fellow country star Reba McEntire. “Oh lordy, they had Reba at my deathbed and we both look like we need to be buried. I thought, oh my Lord. But if I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed,” she quipped, laughing off the digital fantasy. “There’s just a lot of rumors flying around, and I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay.”
Throughout her message, Dolly’s deep Christian faith shone through. “I appreciate your prayers because I’m a person of faith. I can always use prayers for anything and everything,” she told her fans, expressing gratitude for their concern and support. “I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease, those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate … but I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.” She wrapped up her remarks with her trademark optimism: “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working.”
Her team confirmed that, despite postponing her Las Vegas residency earlier in 2025 for minor procedures, Dolly plans to return to the stage in 2026. “I love you for caring and keep praying for me,” she concluded in her video, echoing the affection that has defined her relationship with fans for decades.
Parton’s experience is just the latest in a long line of celebrity death hoaxes fueled by social media and digital manipulation. As E! News pointed out, stars from Steve Burns of Blue’s Clues to Eminem, Reba McEntire, and even Queen Elizabeth II (before her actual passing) have all been prematurely declared dead by viral rumors or AI-generated images. The pattern is all too familiar: a single post or doctored photo can send fans into a frenzy, prompting the celebrity—or their representatives—to issue a public statement, often with a touch of humor or exasperation. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax,” Eminem’s rep once said, as quoted by The Sun. “He’s still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet.”
For Dolly, the episode has been a reminder of both the power and pitfalls of modern communication. While she treasures the prayers and well-wishes from her supporters, she’s keenly aware of how quickly misinformation can spread. “Everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am, do I look sick to you?” she asked, smiling for the camera. Her message: believe her, not the rumors.
As for what’s next, Dolly Parton shows no sign of slowing down. With 11 Grammy Awards, more than 50 nominations, and a philanthropic legacy that includes her Imagination Library—responsible for gifting millions of free books to children worldwide—she remains a cultural force. “I ain’t done working,” she said, echoing the determination that has defined her career.
In a world where rumors can spread faster than wildfire, Dolly Parton’s direct approach and unflappable humor continue to shine through. For now, fans can rest easy: the queen of country is still standing, still smiling, and still planning her next act.
