Dolly Parton recently announced she wasn’t able to attend her scheduled appearance at Dollywood due to health concerns.
The 79-year-old country star was set to unveil a new attraction at her theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. However, in a video message, she shared that she’s recovering from a kidney stone.
“I know you’re probably wondering where I am,” she mentioned in the clip. “Well, it’s a bit complicated. I had a kidney stone.”
She went on to explain that an infection was involved, and her doctor advised her against traveling for the time being. “You know, he said it’s best not to travel right now, so I’m going to take a few days to heal,” she continued, adding that this meant skipping Dollywood for the day.
Parton reassured her fans that she would return soon, saying, “Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. I just can’t do it today.”
At this time, her team hasn’t provided further comments.
Kidney stones can form from minerals and salts in the kidneys and may cause significant pain when passing. Fortunately, timely medical intervention can often prevent lasting damage.
Interestingly, these health issues emerge in the wake of her husband Carl Dean’s passing in March; he was 82 years old. After nearly six decades of marriage, Parton expressed her sorrow over his loss, noting in an earlier interview, “The void and loneliness is still there.”
In July, she mentioned taking a step back from music after Dean’s death, acknowledging on a podcast that she felt, “I just can’t do that now,” indicating other commitments were taking precedence. She also remarked that when she was ready, she planned to return to performing but needed to pause for now.
