Dolly Parton made her first public appearance in months as she stepped onto the stage during Dollywood’s 41st season opening day celebration on Friday.
The 80-year-old songstress – who has addressed health worries after the postponement of her Las Vegas shows – was greeted with cheers and applause from fans in attendance at the festivities.
The Jolene hitmaker sparked concern after not attending her 80th birthday concert at the Grand Ole Opry in January and has only made virtual appearances at recent events such as the 2026 BRIT Awards.
‘I’ve been up to a lot,’ the country singer – whose husband Carl Dean passed away last year – expressed to the crowd, per WLOS News 13.
‘I’ve not been touring, as you know. I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.’
Parton then candidly opened up about her late husband’s death and said, ‘I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on.’
Dolly Parton, 80, made her first public appearance in months as she stepped onto the stage during Dollywood’s 41st season opening day celebration on Friday
The Jolene hitmaker sparked concern after not attending her 80th birthday concert at the Grand Ole Opry in January and has only made virtual appearances at events such as the 2026 BRIT Awards; seen in 2025 in Nashville
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.’
While sitting on stage, the star was joined by Eugene Naughton – the president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts.
She joked to her fans in the audience that some might have assumed Naughton was her ‘new husband’ before stating that she is ‘not dating anybody.’
‘I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me,’ Parton expressed. ‘If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that.
‘He’d be saying, “Who’s that little pisser? You leave him outside the gates,”‘ she joked.
Parton dressed for the occasion in a white dress which was paired with a denim vest that contained floral details.
Her blonde locks were partially pulled back away from her face into a half up do, allowing wavy strands to flow down past her shoulders.
The star made a few public appearances last year, such as at a Dolly Parton exhibit in Nashville in May 2025.
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‘I’ve not been touring, as you know. I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them,’ she expressed to the crowd
She joked to her fans in the audience that some might have assumed Naughton was her ‘new husband’ before stating that she is ‘not dating anybody’
‘I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me,’ Parton expressed. ‘If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that’
The star made a few public appearances last year, such as at a Dolly Parton exhibit in Nashville in May 2025 (seen above)
It came just two months after her husband passed away at the age of 82 on March 3, 2025.
Parton had initially been set to kick off her Las Vegas residency in December 2025, but previously announced that she had to ‘postpone’ the residency to September 2026 due to ‘some health challenges.’
The star also shared that doctors informed her that she needed to undergo ‘a few procedures’ – but did not disclose further details.
She later assured her fans, ‘And 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. I love you and thank you for understanding.’
The following month in October, her sister Freida asked fans for ‘prayers’ for the music artist – sparking fan concern.
Parton’s other sister Stella then shared a message on X which read: ‘To those with genuine concern for my big sister Dolly’s well-being, she posted a video last week to share with her fans that she has had kidney stones and is getting treatment.
‘My sister Freida is always concerned when one of her siblings isn’t feeling well so she ask for prayers on Dolly’s behalf…’
Parton had initially been set to kick off her Las Vegas residency in December 2025, but previously announced that she had to ‘postpone’ the residency to September 2026 due to ‘some health challenges’
The songstress has missed events in recent months, such as the Governors Award where she virtually accepted an honorary Oscar in the form of The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (seen above)
That same month, the 9 To 5 singer uploaded a video message which was captioned with, ‘I ain’t dead yet!’
She also questioned in the clip, ‘Do I look sick to you?’ before explaining that she ‘wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease’ in regards to her health situation.
Parton then admitted that she ‘didn’t take care of’ herself following the death of her husband.
The songstress has missed events in recent months, such as the Governors Award in November 2025 where she virtually accepted an honorary Oscar in the form of The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
She was also absent from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Hall of Fame ceremony that same month.
In February, she shared a virtual video message at The Brit Awards after the late Ozzy Osbourne won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Last month in February, she shared a virtual video message at The Brit Awards 2026 after the late Ozzy Osbourne won the Lifetime Achievement Award (seen above)
Late last year, the Daily Mail exclusively learned that Dolly is on the mend and is still slated to take part in her Las Vegas residency in September.
Caesars Palace president Sean McBurney stated that the songstress is ‘doing well’ while adding both he and his team are ‘very excited for Dolly.’
He also confirmed that Parton ‘has her shows in September [2026]’ still scheduled at the Colosseum concert venue.
In January shortly before her 80th birthday, Parton addressed worries about her health during an interview with People.
The star said, ‘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.
The star said, ‘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’; seen in 2019 in L.A.
‘I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine.’
Parton had fueled further concern after she announced that she would not be attending her 80th birthday tribute concert at the Grand Ole Opry.
However, a source told the Daily Mail that her absence from the event was not medical related.
A representative for Parton said: ‘She was never intending to be there and she was never promoted to be there, so she’s not pulling out of anything. She was never going.’