Country music icon Dolly Parton has delivered a heartfelt Thanksgiving message to her devoted followers, offering reassurance after months of growing concern about her wellbeing. The 79-year-old superstar appeared radiant in a touching Instagram video that sparked an emotional response from fans worldwide.
Emotional Thanksgiving Address
In the polished video shared directly with her followers, the Tennessee-born legend offered warm seasonal blessings. 'Well hey! It's Dolly here, and I want to wish all of you and your family blessings this Thanksgiving,' she began, looking characteristically vibrant.
The Jolene singer continued with genuine appreciation for her supporters, stating: 'I am so thankful for all of you and for the memories that we've shared through the years. So Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and just know that I will always love you.' This poignant reference to her classic hit particularly resonated with longtime admirers.
Fan Outpouring and Health Background
The emotional message prompted an immediate wave of affection in the comments section, with devotees describing Parton as a 'light in this dark world' and thanking her for her 'amazing energy and example.' One admirer expressed: 'Grateful for souls like yours this Thanksgiving, Dolly! We love you!' while another shared: 'You've been a sweet comfort to me since my childhood. You are a shining beacon of light and hope.'
This reassuring communication comes exactly two months after Parton made the difficult decision to postpone several concerts from her upcoming Dolly: Live in Las Vegas residency. At the time, she cited 'health challenges' requiring medical procedures, though she quickly clarified she wasn't stepping away from performing permanently.
Addressing Rumours with Humour and Honesty
True to her nature, the superstar approached her health situation with characteristic wit, joking that she was heading in for her '100,000-mile check-up' while specifying it wasn't her 'usual trip to see my plastic surgeon.'
Concerns intensified last month when her sister Freida Parton publicly requested prayers for the country legend. Parton soon responded with a candid Instagram video, firmly stating: 'I ain't dead yet! Do I look sick to you? I've got some problems, as I've mentioned… nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home.'
The 9 to 5 singer later confirmed her condition remains stable, telling People magazine she refuses to let age diminish her spirit. 'People say, "Well, you're going to be 80 years old." Well, so what? Look at all I've done in 80 years. I feel like I'm just getting started,' she declared, adding her signature philosophy: 'If you allow yourself to get old, you will. I say, "I ain't got time to get old!" I ain't got time to dwell on that.'
Parton has been transparent about previous health issues, including kidney stone episodes in 2015 and more recently, though she maintains her current treatments are 'not that serious.' She directly addressed circulating rumours, assuring supporters: 'There's a lot of rumors out there… but I want you to know that I'm OK! I'm not dying! I ain't done yet - I don't think God is through with me, and I ain't done workin'.'
The Thanksgiving message arrives during a particularly challenging year for the beloved entertainer, following the death of her husband Carl Dean at age 82 earlier this year. The couple had been together for sixty years, with Parton describing him as her love since she was eighteen years old.
