Dolly Parton, 79, updates fans on health after worrying week: ‘I ain’t dead yet!’

Dolly Parton has updated fans on her health after her sister’s worrying social media statement asking fans to join in ‘praying’ for the 9 to 5 singer.

Taking to social media in a video message, Dolly, 79, looked the picture of health while shooting a commercial and wearing a tight-fitted red shirt and black trousers.

‘Lately everybody thinks I’m sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here. I wanted to put y’all mind at ease, those of you who seem real concerned, which I appreciate,’ she began.

‘I appreciate your prayers. I’m a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for everything. I wanted you to know that I’m okay. I had some problems with my husband Carl when he was very sick. Then when he passed I didn’t take care of myself so I let a lot of things go that I should have taken care of.

‘So when I got around to it the doctor said, “We need to take care of this, we need to take care of that.” Nothing major. But I did have to cancel some things so I can be closer to home where I’m having a few treatments here and there. But I wanted you to know, I’m not dying!’

Reassuring fans further, the country music icon continued: ‘I ain’t ready to die yet. God ain’t through with me and I ain’t done working. I love you for caring, and keep praying for me.’

This comes after Dolly’s sister worried fans in an alarming Facebook status yesterday.

‘Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,’ she began.

‘Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.

‘She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!’

Her message sparked a huge response from fans, who feared the worst for Dolly because of her sister’s concern.

Frieda then took to social media again on Tuesday evening to clarify that Dolly is not facing anything life-threatening, and the country music star’s manager Olly Rowland echoed her second statement.

‘It’s just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those,’ Rowland confirmed. ‘It looks like her sister posted, and it got quite a bit blown out of proportion, weirdly.’

‘I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,’ Freida says in the second post.

She continued, clarifying that Dolly has ‘been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister.’

This latest news follows Dolly’s announcement last week that she would be pulling out of the Las Vegas residency. She also pulled out of an appearance at Dollywood last month.

Announcing the postponement of her Las Vegas shows, Dolly wrote on Instagram: ‘I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts.

‘As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.’

Dolly added: ‘As I joked with them, it must be for my 1,000-mile check-up, although it’s not my usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!’

She continued: ‘In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.

‘You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.

‘While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get the show ready, as they say.’

Dolly added reassuringly to fans: ‘And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.’

‘I love you and thank you for understanding,’ Dolly signed off.

Dolly has endured a difficult year, as her husband of 58 years Carl Dean died in March.

The country star said in the announcement of her husband’s death: ‘Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.’

The pair met 61 years ago in 1964 outside the Wishy Washy launderette in Nashville, on the very day that the music icon moved to Tennessee.

They became inseparable and travelled to Georgia two years later to tie the knot.

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