80-year-old Dolly Parton shared a candid health update on social media Monday, revealing ongoing struggles with kidney stones, a weakened immune system, and digestive issues over the past three years while announcing the cancellation of her postponed Las Vegas residency.
In a video posted to Instagram and other platforms on May 4, 2026, the country music icon delivered “some good news and a little bad news.”
She said she is “responding really well to meds and treatments” and improving daily, but side effects like feeling “swimmy-headed” mean it will take more time before she can return to stage performances.
“You know I’ve told you before, I’ve always had problems with my kidney stones,” Parton said with her signature humor. “Lord, they dig me more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee.”
Thank you for standing by me and showing me so much love and support over the past year. I’ve still got some healing to do, but I am on my way! See you soon. 💖 🦋 pic.twitter.com/HXpJqTUJXZ
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) May 4, 2026
She added more seriously: “My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple, three years, and [doctors] are working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those. And hopefully I’ll be up to snuff again.”
As part of the update, Parton confirmed she has canceled her Las Vegas residency shows, originally postponed from December 2025 to September 2026 at Caesars Palace. The decision stems from the need for continued recovery and the effects of her treatments.
The announcement comes seven months after fans expressed widespread concern in October 2025, when Parton’s sister Freida publicly asked for prayers amid unspecified “health challenges.” Those issues led to the initial postponement of the Las Vegas dates, with Parton citing the need for medical procedures.