“Ain’t dead yet”: Dolly Parton shares health update with fans after social media scare

Dolly Parton shared a video on social media on Wednesday, hoping to put fans’ fears about her health to rest.

“I want you to know that I’m not dying,” Parton said from the set of a Grand Ole Opry commercial. “I’m not ready to die yet.”

The country legend’s fans grew concerned about Parton’s well-being earlier this week after her sister asked the fanbase for prayers.

“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,” Freida Parton wrote on Facebook. “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.”

Dolly Parton thanked fans for their prayers but said she’s not planning on passing anytime soon.

“I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here,” she said. I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease.”

Dolly Parton also commented on the way that AI-generated images added fuel to the rumors.

“Did you see that AI picture of Reba [McEntire] and me? Ooh, lordy. I mean, they had Reba at my deathbed and we both looked like we needed to be buried,” she said. There’s just a lot of rumors flying around, and I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was ok.”

The “Jolene” singer admitted that she was not 100% healthy. She said she “let a lot of things go” in the wake of her husband’s death, which eventually forced her to slow down and get her health back on track.

“Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things,” she said. “I want you to know that I’m not dying… I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working.”

I ain’t dead yet! pic.twitter.com/Mp553laadI

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) October 8, 2025