Country music’s biggest stars are gearing up to celebrate Dolly Parton80th birthday at the Grand Ole Opry, but unfortunately the singer won’t be attending the festivities.
“Well, hello Grand Ole Opry family. I just wanted to say how much it means to me that you’re all coming together again this year to celebrate my big birthday with some of my songs,” Parton, 79, said in a video shared via the Grand Ole Opry’s official Instagram page on Wednesday, January 7. “Some of my favorite memories happened right here on the Grand Ole Opry stage, and I wish I could be there in person, but I’ll be sure to send you all my love. So have the best night ever.”
The post also revealed that Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill i Rhonda Vincent will perform at the event on Saturday, January 17. (Parton turns 80 on Monday, January 19.)
In a follow-up comment on the post, the site’s account wrote, “Although Dolly can’t attend in person, we’re looking forward to honoring her with songs and fun throughout the day, including: ✨ Birthday Party Cupcakes when you take a daytime Opry House tour, ✨ A larger-than-life birthday card for them to sign, ✨ Dolly Square specials, Dolly-themed drinks, and ✨ Dolly Parton Tributes throughout the show Opry.
UPDATE: 10/25/25, 3:00 a.m. ET: Dolly Parton’s sister Freida clarified her comments by asking fans to pray for the singer in a new Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 7. “I want to make something clear. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when I asked for prayers for Dolly,” Freida wrote. (…)
News of Parton’s absence from the celebration came just months after she was forced to push back her Las Vegas residency amid health issues.
“I want the fans and the public to hear straight from me that unfortunately I will have to postpone my upcoming concerts in Las Vegas,” the “9 to 5” singer wrote via Instagram in September 2025. “As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health issues and my doctors are telling me that I need to have some procedures.”
“As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000 mile checkup, even though it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon! In all seriousness, given that, I won’t be able to rehearse and put together the show I want you to see, and the show you deserve to see,” he continued. “While I will still be able to work on all my projects from here in Nashville, I just need some time to prepare for the show. And don’t worry about me leaving the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But I think He’s telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more great adventures with you all.”
Earlier that month, Parton missed a scheduled appearance at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, celebrating the Night Flight Expedition ride. Instead, he appeared virtually in a video message addressing his absence.
“Hello Dollywood! It’s me,” he told fans in the clip. “I know, and I’m here, and you’re there. And you’re wondering why? Well, I had a little problem. I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of trouble, it turned out to be an infection, and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to travel right now, so you need a few days to get better.’ So he suggested that I not go to Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit. I really wanted to.”
Reba McEntire is singing Dolly Parton’s praises after the country music legend responded to a death hoax. “Tell them Dolly. This whole AI mess has made us do all kinds of crazy things,” McEntire, 70, shared via Instagram on Thursday, Oct. 9. “You’re dying. I’m here having a baby. Well, both (…)
In October 2025, Parton was the subject of a death hoax after an AI-generated image of the star showing her friend Reba McEntire on her deathbed began circulating online. Parton, whose husband, Carl Thomas Dean, died in March 2025, responded to the rumors.
“When my husband, Carl, was very ill, it was for a long time, and then when he died I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should have taken care of,” she explained. “When I got to this, the doctor said we have to take care of this, we have to take care of this. Nothing major, but I had to cancel some things so I could be closer to home and closer to Vanderbilt (University Medical Center) where I’m getting some treatments here and there. But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”
“Did you see that AI picture of Reba and me? Oh, Lordy. I mean, they had Reba on my deathbed. And we both looked like we needed to be buried,” Parton added. “But I thought, ‘Oh, Lord, if I really was dying, I don’t think Reba was the one on my deathbed.’ Maybe come visit me sooner, but anyway. … I don’t think God is done with me and I’m not done working. So I love you for taking care and keep praying for me.”