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Topics: Dolly Parton, Music, Health, US News
Ellie Kemp
Topics: Dolly Parton, Music, Health, US News
Dolly Parton's sister Freida has scrambled to reassure fans after she was up 'all night' praying for the country star's health.
Last week, the 'Islands in the Stream' hitmaker confirmed she'd be rescheduling her December Las Vegas residency over health concerns.
Parton was due to play six nights at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace between December 4 and December 13.
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The 79-year-old has now rearranged the shows for September 2026.
Taking to Facebook on Tuesday (October 7), her younger sister Freida hailed the 'power of prayer' as she said Dolly 'hasn't been feeling her best lately'.
"Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly," Freida wrote.
"Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me."
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She continued: "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."
This, naturally, caused alarm, as one person commented: "Dolly is a strong woman. Her life is very much private. You know it is dire when family start asking for prayers."
So, some five hours later, Freida returned to Facebook to clarify the situation.
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"I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly," she wrote.
"She’s 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. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference."
It comes as Parton herself said she was 'dealing with some health challenges' in a statement last week.
"My doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures," she added.
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In true Parton style, she went on: "As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!
"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."
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Parton said she's still able to work on projects from Nashville, but just needs 'a little time to get show ready, as they say'.
The country star went on to quash any fears of her retirement, adding: "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."
Parton's Las Vegas shows are now due to take place between September 17 and September 26, 2026.
"Tickets are valid for the new dates and refunds will be available," the star's Instagram statement added.
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Dolly, who shot to fame with her 1967 hit 'Dumb Blonde', has previously played almost 50 shows in Vegas.
Her last extended run was in 1993 at The Mirage.
Parton's final major tour was the North American Pure & Simple Tour, which ran from June to December 2016.
She has made occasional special appearances, including the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and a performance at CMA Fest in Nashville last June.
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One of her most recent performances was this March, for Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs In Symphony at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, also in Nashville.