Dolly Parton skips Dollywood appearance over health issue 6 months after husband’s death

Dolly Parton pulled out of an appearance at Dollywood Wednesday due to a health issue.

The 79-year-old singer was scheduled to be at her theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., to announce a new attraction, but explained in a video message to her fans that she’s recovering from a kidney stone.

“I know, I’m here and you’re there and wondering why that is,” she said in a video, which was shared on X by journalist Marcus Leshock.

“I had a little problem. I had a kidney stone.”

“Turns out there was an infection, and the doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling around this minute, so you need a few days to get better,’” she continued. “So he suggested I not go to Dollywood today.”

Parton reassured her fans that she would be back soon.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m gonna be ok,” she said. “Just can’t do it today.”

Parton’s reps didn’t immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

Kidney stones are hard objects made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys, and passing them can be painful, per the Mayo Clinic. However, prompt treatment usually helps prevent any lasting damage.

Parton’s health matter comes after her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March. He was 82.

The 11-time Grammy winner opened up about his secret health battle in an interview with the Independent in May, and said she was glad he was not suffering anymore.

“But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it,” she added at the time.

In July, Parton said she was taking a break from music following Dean’s death, admitting on Khloé Kardashian’s “Khloé in Wonder Land” podcast, “I can’t do it.”

“I can’t do it right now ‘cause I got so many other things that I can’t afford the luxury of, you know, of getting emotional right now,” she continued.

Parton said he would eventually return to the stage but said she was “just putting that all on hold.”