Dolly Parton’s sister, Freida, calls for prayers amid country star’s health issues

Less than two weeks after Dolly Parton announced she would be postponing her Las Vegas residency due to “health challenges,” her younger sister, Freida Parton, has publicly asked for prayers for the legendary country singer.

Frieda penned a heartfelt Facebook post on Tuesday about the “Jolene” singer’s current state.

“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately,” Freida wrote on Oct. 7. “I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.”

While Freida did not disclose the specifics of her sister’s health battle, she remained hopeful that the 79-year-old singer would recover. “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you,” Freida wrote.

Questions surrounding Dolly’s health emerged on Sept. 28 after Dolly wrote on social media that she would be postponing her residency.

“As many of you know, I have 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-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon,” Dolly wrote.

The Dollywood co-owner explained that she was pushing back her shows because she is “not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see.” Parton acknowledged that her fans “pay good money” for her concerts and she wanted to “be at [her] best for [them].”

Dolly was scheduled to perform six shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas” between Dec. 4 and Dec. 13. The residency has since been moved to Sept. 2026. Tickets are valid for the new dates and refunds will be available.

Dolly further reassured fans that this postponement is simply a pause, not the end of her career. “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet,” she concluded. “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.”

The news of Dolly’s health concerns comes after a difficult year for Parton. Her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, passed away in March at the age of 82.