Country legend Dolly Parton, 80, has officially cancelled her highly anticipated Las Vegas residencies, telling fans she still has 'some healing to do.' While the star remains upbeat, the cancellation follows a gruelling year of physical health issues and the devastating loss of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean.
Residency Cancelled
Dolly had been scheduled to perform six shows at Caesars Palace last December but was forced to delay them until September 2026. Now she has announced she won't be able to perform those either. Taking to Instagram, Dolly said she is 'responding really well to meds and treatments' and is 'improving every day' but needs more time before she is 'up to stage-performance level.' She explained the medication makes her 'swimmy-headed,' joking: 'I can't be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on 5-inch heels - and you know that I'm going to be wearing them.'
She added: 'Not to mention, all those heavy rhinestone outfits, the big hair, my big… uh, personality.' Captioning her video, she wrote: 'Thank you for standing by me and showing me so much love and support over the past year. I've still got some healing to do, but I am on my way! See you soon.'
Health History
Her health issues appear linked to a long-standing kidney stone problem. Last year she shot down rumours of declining health after withdrawing from an awards ceremony. She has previously opened up about suffering extreme abdominal pain, kidney stones, and bleeding, undergoing two surgeries to stop internal haemorrhaging. She revealed her immune and digestive systems have become 'out of whack' and needed strengthening. 'Happy heart is like good medicine,' she said.
In 2017, Dolly spoke about her appetite and how she had abused her body. In the book Dolly on Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton, she said: 'I was always just a hog, I still am. I'm short and I have a big appetite. I can't do nothing just a little. It's hard for me to love a little, have sex a little, to eat a little. I like to do everything and I like to do it all the way that I want to do it.' A lifelong lover of junk food, she admitted she could eat three pizzas and craved french fries, popcorn, peanuts, and McDonald's.
This started a toxic cycle: 'On top of being medicated, Dietin' Dolly would go on liquid protein, Scarsdale, Atkins, the water diet, then I'd binge, diet, gain, start all over again. Eventually my system wouldn't work anymore. My body couldn't hold up under that strain.' Doctors told her to lose 20lbs, but Dolly noted: 'Overeating is as much a sickness as drugs or alcohol.'
Endometriosis Diagnosis
The situation came to a head when Dolly performed in Indianapolis against doctor's orders and passed out on stage from internal bleeding. She was diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent a partial hysterectomy, ending her ability to conceive—something she had dreamed of. Since marrying Carl Dean in 1966, they had hoped for six children and had picked out names. Dolly bravely fought to accept her new reality, using music to vent her heartbreak, and slowly regained control of her health.
Grief Over Carl Dean
Sadly, Dolly lost her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, who died aged 82 last year. Just 18 when they met, Dolly said in a statement: 'Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.' She praised fans for helping her heal from the loss, sharing how Carl reminded her she's 'not getting any younger' when she complained about aches and pains.
Speaking for the first time in March at the 41st season opening of Dollywood, the singer admitted she had been struggling physically and emotionally after Carl's death. She said: 'I've been up to a lot. I've not been touring, as you know. I've had a few little health issues, and we're taking good care of them. I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on.' She added: 'I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn't slow me down.'
