LAST UPDATE | 8 Oct

A VERY MUCH alive Dolly Parton took to social media today to declare “I ain’t dead yet!” after her sister sent fans into a tailspin when she called for prayers for one of America’s most beloved celebrities.

In a video posted to her official account, the 79-year-old Queen of Country thanked the public for their concern, but insisted she was not at death’s door.

“There are just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay,” she said from what appeared to be a photo studio.

“I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working.”

I ain’t dead yet! pic.twitter.com/Mp553laadI

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) October 8, 2025

The Jolene singer posted the video captioned “I ain’t dead yet!” the day after her younger sister Freida Parton sparked panic with a post that some people interpreted as indicating the star’s recent health problems were terminal.

“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 her Facebook page.

“I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.”

In a message hours later, Freida said she needed to clear something up.

“I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” she wrote. 

“She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister.”

She added: “Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”

The 9 to 5 singer had been set to perform six nights of sold-out shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in December but delayed these upcoming Las Vegas gigs last week.

She cited unspecified “health challenges,” and disclosed that she was set to undergo multiple medical procedures.

She added that she scrapped those dates because her current health meant she would not “be able to rehearse and put together the show that you want to see.”

However, Parton told her millions of followers that she was not ending her glittering career just yet, and said new dates were set for next September.

And in her post today, she appeared in good health.

“I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here,” she said.

Parton said she had neglected herself after the death of her long-time husband, but was now undergoing treatment

“Nothing major. But I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home” for medical care.

“But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”

“Those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate and I appreciate your prayers, because I’m a person of faith, I can always use the prayers for anything and everything, but I want you to know that I’m okay.”

Parton became a major star in the 1970s, with singles including “Coat of Many Colors,” and followed up with smash hits such as “I Will Always Love You,” famously covered by Whitney Houston.

She is due to receive an honorary Oscar next month, but Hollywood trade publication Variety said she was no longer expected to attend the Los Angeles ceremony.

-With reporting from © AFP 2025