Dolly Parton, 79, has missed two major events — her IAAPA Hall of Fame induction and her honorary Oscar — as she follows doctors’ orders to rest due to ongoing health issues. She previously postponed her Las Vegas shows and reassured fans that while she’s had some medical problems, nothing is life-threatening.
Parton said her health slipped after her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March. She has since scaled back to stay closer to home.
The country icon also reflected on her life and career. She shared the childhood heartbreak of losing her first guitar in a house fire, though she now owns several similar “baby Martins.” She also discussed achieving a lifelong dream by creating Dollywood despite early pushback.
In her new book, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, Parton looks back on her seven decades in entertainment, her drive to succeed, the sacrifices she made, and her determination to keep going as she approaches 80. She says she’s grateful for her legacy, proud of what she’s built, and focused on continuing meaningful work — insisting, “I ain’t got time to get old.”