Dolly Parton, 79, did not attend a Dollywood event scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 17, due to a kidney stone that led to an infection and doctors’ orders not to travel. The country icon appeared in a pre-recorded video message shown to Dollywood parkgoers from what appeared to be her living room.
Parton told attendees in the clip that she had a kidney stone and that an infection followed. “Turns out there was an infection,” she said, before adding that the doctor advised against travel at the moment and suggested she rest for a few days. “So he suggested I not go to Dollywood today,” she added, but she emphasized she was there in spirit and looked forward to returning. “I’ll be back as quick as I can. Don’t worry about me, I’m going to be okay. Just can’t do it today.”
Dollywood officials indicated the schedule change was necessary and that the park’s president offered a preview of the day’s intended announcements, including news of Dollywood’s newest attraction set to debut in 2026. The project is described as the next major step in the park’s $500 million expansion unveiled in 2021, with Dollywood citing a change in plans for Parton’s attendance but stressing that the company remains focused on the broader expansion.
The health issue comes six months after Parton’s husband, Carl Thomas Dean, died at age 82. In March, Parton announced his passing on social media, writing that he would be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family and that the couple had spent more than six decades together. She later described a difficult but hopeful period, noting that she was finding peace and said she was “doing better” than she expected. Earlier this year, she offered advice to fellow singer Kelly Clarkson, who had recently lost her ex-husband, saying to treasure the years shared with a loved one and to honor their memory.
As Parton self-described, the absence from the Dollywood stage was not due to a lack of support from fans or the park, but to a health matter that required a few days of rest. Her team said she would resume public appearances when medically cleared, and Dollywood’s leadership reiterated that Wednesday’s schedule would be revisited in the near term as plans move forward for the 2026 attraction.
The Dollywood news comes amid a broader period of reflection and resilience for Parton, who has long balanced a demanding touring schedule with personal milestones and philanthropic work. While she jokes about keeping her spirits high, the singer’s public statements have underscored a commitment to her family, her fans, and the Dollywood enterprise, even as she navigates personal loss and health concerns. The park, for its part, emphasized that the expansion project remains on track and that future events and announcements would be shared as plans solidify.
