Dolly Parton Postpones Vegas Residency Due to “Health Challenges”

What the Smoky Mountain Icon, Dolly Parton, said about her health

On Sept. 28, Dolly Parton took to her Instagram account to announce the postponement of her impending Las Vegas residency from December of this year to next fall. She cited health challenges and her doctor’s advice.

“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,” said Parton, who will turn 80 next year. “As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures. As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000 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 see good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you. While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say.”

The concerts – which were to be her first in Las Vegas in 32 years – were to be held at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

The announcement comes on the heels of Parton missing a scheduled appearance at Dollywood. The reason was originally termed a scheduling issue. However, the singer revealed it to be a medical issue.

What are Dolly’s health challenges?

We only know what she’s been willing to share. When she missed the announcement for Night Flight Expedition on Sept. 17 – an announcement she’d publicly been looking forward to – she made a video, explaining her absence. She explained she’d been battling kidney stones and an infection.

“Hello Dollywood! It’s me,” she said. “I know – and I’m here, and you’re there. And you’re wondering why that is? Well, I had a little problem.”

“I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, turned out it’d given me an infection, and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute, so you need a few days to get better.’

“So, he suggested I not go to Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit,” she added. “I was looking so forward to it.”

Beyond that, we don’t know and it’s frankly not our business and we should not speculate. She is 79 years old. Even for someone as active and dedicated as Dolly, sometimes we all need to rest and recuperate. Remember the idea for Dollywood was essentially born when she gave an interview to Barbara Walters. The interview took place while Dolly was on a small sabbatical from show business, mostly to rest.

Will Dolly share if her health problems become more serious?

It is entirely up to her. Dolly Parton has been both incredibly open and incredibly private over the course of her more than 50 years in the public eye. If it is something she deems within the scope of what she wants the public to know, she shares openly and unabashedly.

But, if it’s something she feels is outside of what the public needs to know, she guards that privacy better than Fort Knox. Remember, this is a woman who was married to Carl Dean for nearly 60 years. During that time, she was able to keep him out of the public eye – at his preference – so well – that some people thought he was made up.

We will know what Dolly wants us to know and honestly, that’s all we have the right to expect.

What does this mean for Dolly’s career?

Dolly says it ain’t over.

“Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about me 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.”

What it does mean, is we should appreciate every day we have both with Dolly and for ourselves in our everyday life. Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us.

However, I will say this to end on something of a positive note.

In 1989, I was a teenager living in Southern Indiana. The child of Boomers, I’d grown up on the record collection and loved the classic rock of the day. The Beatles, the Stones, the Beach Boys and Motown.

With this in mind, The Rolling Stones were coming to Indy as part of the Steel Wheels Tour. Jagger and Richards were in their mid-40s. There were rumors were that this would be the last time they’d go out on tour. They’d been together 27 years, after all. How much longer could a rock and roll band last?

I begged and pleaded for a ticket to no avail. So, I missed my chance to see them. I was devasted. But, last year, in the summer of 2024, the Rolling Stones – 35 years after I’d missed them – came to Atlanta. And, yes, we got tickets. Rumors were it might be their last time, after all. They were spectacular. I’ve seen McCartney in recent years as well. Saw Ringo at the Ryman in Nashville and in his 80s, he’s healthier than he was in his late 40s.

The Who – Pete and Roger, anyway – have been retiring for years. Paul Simon retired but is still doing shows. Aerosmith can’t tour anymore but have begun making appearances again.

I say all that to say this, the great ones, blessed with longevity and talent keep going. We don’t know specifically what challenges are ahead for Dolly. But, we do know that she will have the best possible care. We do know that when she is healthy and able she will get back to her public life of singing and performing and making us laugh. She gives us hope and continues doing all the things she’s done for longer than the Rolling Stones have been around.

And we will be here and thankful for every moment of it. Until then she will be in our thoughts and hearts and prayers. Good luck, Dolly and get well soon!

Join us in wishing Dolly Parton the very best, let us know your thoughts in the comments.