💔 “Please Pray for Dolly”: Freida Parton Asks the World to Lift the Country Icon in Prayer as Health Concerns Postpone Her Las Vegas Residency
LAS VEGAS — The country music world is rallying around Dolly Parton after the beloved 79-year-old legend revealed she is postponing her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency due to ongoing health challenges.
Her sister, Freida Parton, took to Facebook Tuesday night with a heartfelt plea that quickly went viral:
“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. 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. 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’s post has sparked a wave of love and support across social media, as fans and fellow artists flood timelines with messages of prayer, gratitude, and encouragement for the legendary performer.
🎤 Dolly’s Health Update
Dolly Parton herself shared a statement earlier this week, confirming she’s been advised by her doctors to undergo “a few procedures” and to take time to rest and recover.
“As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges,” Dolly wrote. “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!”
Despite her humor, Dolly made it clear that she’s postponing the Las Vegas shows out of respect for her fans.
“You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you,” she said. “I’m not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see.”
Her six-show residency, “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas,” originally scheduled for Dec. 4–13 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, will now take place in September 2026. Tickets for the new dates will remain valid, and refunds are available for those unable to attend.
“Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business,” she added. “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.”
🏥 A Difficult Year
This isn’t the first time in recent months that Dolly has been forced to slow down. Earlier this year, she was unable to attend a major event at Dollywood, her Tennessee theme park, due to complications from a kidney stone and a resulting infection.
“The doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute — you need a few days to get better,’” Dolly explained in a video message to fans. “So, I couldn’t be at Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit.”
The health setbacks come during an emotionally heavy year for the music icon, following the death of her husband, Carl Dean, in March. The couple had been married for nearly 60 years, and Dean famously inspired one of Dolly’s most enduring hits, “Jolene.”
🌟 What’s Next for Dolly
Though she hasn’t toured since her “Pure & Simple Tour” in 2016, Dolly continues to stay active through writing, philanthropy, and creative projects. On November 11, she is set to release her new memoir, “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage,” a reflection on her decades-long career and the lessons learned along the way.
In addition, a Broadway musical based on her life story is scheduled to premiere in 2026, ensuring that her legacy will continue to shine on the grandest stage.
💞 A Global Outpouring of Love
Since Freida’s emotional post, the hashtag #PrayForDolly has trended across social media platforms, with fans, churches, and celebrities joining in collective prayer for her recovery.
One fan wrote:
“Dolly has been the light for so many of us through hard times. Now it’s our turn to send that light back to her.”
Another commented,
“She’s given us joy for decades. Let’s give her strength now.”
✝️ A Message of Faith
Freida’s closing words sum up the spirit of the moment — one that has united fans across generations, faiths, and borders:
“She’s strong, she’s loved, and she’s got millions praying for her. God’s not done with her yet.”
As Dolly Parton takes time to heal, the world waits — with faith, hope, and gratitude — for her return to the stage she has graced for more than six decades.
