The singer “refuses rest” but she is “not yet ready to die”

Country music legend Dolly Parton has fans and family worried after revealing ongoing health issues, forcing her to delay her sold-out Las Vegas residency.

The 79-year-old singer shared on social media that doctors advised her to undergo several medical procedures. Ever the optimist, Parton tried to lighten the mood by joking that it was “time for a 100,000 mile check.”

These concerns increased when his sister, Frieda, publicly asked for prayers in Parton’s name. The singer’s manager later clarified that she was only suffering from kidney stones, hoping to quell speculation.

Despite the assurances, however, fans feared her condition was more serious than she was letting on.

“I’m not ready to die yet,” says Dolly

In an interview earlier this month, Parton attempted to once again put people’s minds at ease by directly addressing her health. She admitted that although she faces health challenges, she still feels far from done.

“I’m not ready to die yet,” the country singer said, according to World of heatthe same relentless drive that has defined his 60-year career.

Sources close to the star also said Parton’s refusal to slow down alarmed her family and the management team. While doctors advised him to rest, the country icon reportedly continued to oversee his affairs from home.

The families say Parton is expected to recover, but she continues to “work from bed – sending messages, reviewing plans and staying involved in everything.”

The source added that his unstoppable work ethic, which helped build a multi-million dollar empire including Dollywood and several product lines, now threatens to hinder his recovery. She may no longer be in the emergency room, but it’s not a far place for her if she continues to work, friends and family said.

A story of power in the face of pain

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Parton has gone through illness to continue performing.

In the 1980s, she collapsed on stage and was later diagnosed with endometriosis, leading to a partial hysterectomy at just 36 years old.

Then in 2015, she continued filming her film Coat of many colors just three weeks after having surgery to remove kidney stones.

Her friends say that kind of resilience, while inspiring, has become a double-edged sword. “Her team tries to lighten her workload, but Dolly insists on approving everything herself, even Dollywood’s Christmas menu.”

However, close friends have also acknowledged that her recent loss could explain why she is throwing herself into the job. Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, businessman Carl Dean, died earlier this year at age 82. The couple met when she was 19 and remained inseparable until her death.

Although those close to her understand her need to stay active, they worry that she lacks energy. “Her doctors keep telling her to rest, but she ignores them. She insists that she’s fine, that she’s built differently.

Between the advice of doctors and her Las Vegas residency postponed to 2026Dolly Parton kept her spirits up by promoting her Christmas kitchenware, cookie recipes and fashion lines online. As the holidays approached, she also continued to manage Dollywood’s operations, checking in with staff and contributing to plans.

Originally published on IBTimes UK