Trending Now - Dolly Parton Marks Dollywood Opening Amid Health Recovery

WHO:

Dolly Parton, country music icon, age 80

Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company

Carl Dean, Parton's husband, died on March 3, 2025, at age 82 after 58 years of marriage.

Dolly Parton, country music icon, age 80

Carl Dean, Parton's late husband, who passed away in 2025

Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company

WHAT:

Parton stated, “I’ve been doing a whole lot of things. I have been not touring, as you know, I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.”

Parton confirmed she is “not dating anybody” following the death of her husband, Carl Dean.

Parton mentioned she is “writing a couple new songs” for her upcoming Broadway musical, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," which is slated to launch in fall 2026.

Parton stated, “I’ve just been doing a lot of writing, a lot of thinking, a lot of praying, and a lot of getting ready for a lot of new stuff coming up,” during her speech at Dollywood.

Parton confirmed that Dollywood will launch two new stage productions as part of its annual I Will Always Love You Festival in 2026.

The NightFlight Expedition, a hybrid indoor roller coaster/chute-style flume attraction, is set to open later in 2026 and is the most expensive attraction in Dollywood's history.

Parton stated, “I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” during her speech at Dollywood.

Parton confirmed she has postponed her Las Vegas concerts from December 2025 to September 2026 due to health issues.

Dolly Parton stated, “I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me. If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that,” during her speech at Dollywood.

Parton mentioned she is “writing a couple new songs” for her upcoming Broadway musical, "Dolly: A True Original Musical."

Parton confirmed that she has been “not touring” and has had “a few little health issues” that required her to take a break from public appearances.

Dolly Parton spoke onstage to mark the opening of Dollywood’s 41st season on March 13, 2026

Parton revealed she is “not dating anybody” and does not plan to marry again

Parton postponed her six-show Las Vegas residency from December 2025 to September 2026

Parton is working on a Broadway musical titled "Dolly: A True Original Musical"

Dollywood will launch two new stage productions as part of its annual I Will Always Love You Festival in 2026

Dollywood is set to open the NightFlight Expedition, the most expensive attraction in the park's history

WHERE:

Dollywood theme park, Tennessee

WHEN:

March 13, 2026, was the date of Parton's first major public appearance since her health struggles began in late 2025.

March 3, 2025, date of Carl Dean's death.

March 13, 2026, was the date of Parton's first major public appearance since her health struggles began in late 2025.

March 13, 2026, date of Parton's public appearance

2025, year of Carl Dean's death

September 2026, new date for Las Vegas residency

October 8, 2025, date of Parton's video addressing health concerns

November 2025, month when Parton missed a ceremony at a theme park convention

November 2025, month when Parton did not accept her honorary Oscar in person

WHY:

Parton explained that she “got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” which contributed to her health challenges.

Parton explained that the emotional toll of losing Carl Dean contributed to her health challenges.

Parton explained that she “got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” which contributed to her health challenges.

Parton stated she has been dealing with health challenges and needed to recover

Parton expressed that grieving over Carl Dean and other issues contributed to her health struggles

HOW:

Parton stated, “I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically.”

Parton mentioned she is “taking good care” of her health issues and is focused on building herself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Parton mentioned she is taking care of her health issues and building herself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically

Parton communicated with fans through video messages and public appearances to address her health and reassure them

(UPDATED March 15, 2026 05:29 UTC)

In a heartfelt update, Dolly Parton, now 80, made her first major public appearance on March 13, sharing insights about her recent health struggles and confirming she is not dating anyone following the death of her husband, Carl Dean. Parton mentioned that she has been focusing on her well-being, saying, “I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically,” while also revealing she is writing new songs for her upcoming Broadway musical, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," set to launch in fall 2026. The country music icon, alongside Dollywood Company president Eugene Naughton, expressed her commitment to taking care of her health as she continues to create new music.

(UPDATED March 15, 2026 01:22 UTC)

In a heartfelt speech at Dollywood on last Monday, Dolly Parton shared her excitement about upcoming projects, stating, “I’ve just been doing a lot of writing, a lot of thinking, a lot of praying, and a lot of getting ready for a lot of new stuff coming up.” She confirmed that Dollywood will introduce two new stage productions during its annual I Will Always Love You Festival this year, along with the opening of the NightFlight Expedition, a groundbreaking hybrid indoor roller coaster and flume ride, which will be the park's most expensive attraction ever. Parton also reassured fans that she is “taking good care” of her health and is committed to rebuilding herself spiritually, emotionally, and physically after her recent health challenges.

(UPDATED March 14, 2026 19:09 UTC)

Dolly Parton has announced that she is postponing her Las Vegas concerts from December 2025 to September 2026 due to health issues, which she attributes in part to the emotional toll of grieving her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82 after 58 years of marriage. During a speech at Dollywood, Parton shared that she has been feeling worn down and worn out, not just from her loss but also from other challenges in her life. She emphasized that she is focused on taking good care of herself and is committed to rebuilding her health spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

(UPDATED March 14, 2026 13:19 UTC)

In her first major public appearance since late 2025, Dolly Parton shared heartfelt thoughts about her late husband, saying, “I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me,” during a speech at Dollywood. She also revealed that she’s been working on new songs for her upcoming Broadway musical, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," while confirming that health issues have kept her from touring and public appearances. Parton explained that her struggles stemmed from feeling worn down and grieving over Carl, along with other personal challenges.

(UPDATED March 14, 2026 11:04 UTC)

Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon, celebrated the opening of Dollywood's 41st season on March 13, 2026, where she shared that she is not dating anyone and has no plans to remarry following the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, in 2025. During the event, Parton also announced the postponement of her Las Vegas residency to September 2026 and revealed exciting new projects, including a Broadway musical titled "Dolly: A True Original Musical" and the launch of two new stage productions at Dollywood's I Will Always Love You Festival. As she continues to focus on her health and recovery, Parton reassured fans that she is taking care of herself and is committed to building herself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically.