COUNTRY legend Dolly Parton has been forced to cancel her highly anticipated Las Vegas concerts after being hit by “health challenges.”
The annoucement sparks fresh concern for the beloved star due to her history of serious medical crises.
Dolly Parton fans are concerned for the beloved star after a string of cancellations due to health issues[/caption]
The country legend has a history of health problems, suffering from endometriosis and kidney stones[/caption]
Fans think the singer should prioritise her health after decades of relentless performing[/caption]
The 79-year-old icon has faced a string of health battles over the years, including undergoing a hysterectomy in the 1980s and painful bouts of kidney stones that once left her hospitalised.
Despite her struggles, Dolly has always bounced back to the stage, earning her reputation as one of music’s toughest performers.
Her recent Vegas cancellation has only deepened worries.
The 9 to 5 hitmaker posted an emotional message on her Instagram page in which she revealed she had been instructed to undergo a “few procedures” as a result.
She revealed she will need to postpone her Las Vegas extravaganza, which would have seen her perform six dates this winter, to next fall.
Fans flooded social media to share their concern and well-wishes.
The news came just days after Dolly left fans concerned when she was a no-show for a scheduled appearance at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
She revealed she was suffering from “a kidney stone,” which forced her to miss the appearance.
Many fans admitted they feared the worst, while others urged Dolly to put her health first after decades of relentless performing.
ENDOMETRIOSIS & HYSTERECTOMY
Dolly was diagnosed with endometriosis in her 30s. This condition, where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it, caused serious health issues for her.
At age 36, in 1984, she underwent a partial hysterectomy — a surgical procedure removing part of her reproductive system — after collapsing on stage and dealing with haemorrhaging tied to her condition.
The surgery meant she could no longer conceive naturally, which she later said hit her hard emotionally.
She has spoken about going through a very dark period after the operation, including depression and a crisis of identity, particularly around what it meant to be able to start a family.
She describes that time as feeling “middle-aged” suddenly and really struggled with coming to terms with the change.
She even contemplated suicide, telling reporters: “It was an awful time for me.”
Dolly Parton’s Career Highlights
Dolly Parton is one of the most well-known country stars in the business, and her career has continued to flourish. Here’s a look at the highlights of the music legend’s decades-long career.
- Dolly wrote and released her first single, Puppy Love, including the B-track Girl Left Alone, on Goldband Records when she was 11 years old.
- Although her single wasn’t a big hit, she ended up performing at Nashville, Tennessee’s Grand Ole Opry for the first time at 13 years old and was introduced by Johnny Cash.
- Dolly made the Billboard country charts in January 1967 with two singles from Monument Records: Dumb Blonde and Something Fishy.
- The singer earned her first number-one hit in 1971 with her single Joshua.
- In 1974, Dolly’s arguably most well-known song, Jolene, reached number one on the country charts.
- Her music continued to succeed, and she was awarded the Female Vocalist of the Year award at the CMAs in 1975.
- Dolly’s track, Here You Come Again, achieved platinum status in 1978, and the album earned her a Grammy award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
- In 1980, Dolly starred in her first film, 9 to 5, alongside Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda and released her hit song of the same name.
- The star opened her famed amusement park, Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in 1986.
- Later that year, she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- At 75 years old, Dolly recreated her 1978 Playboy Cover for her husband Carl Dean’s birthday.
- In May 2022, it was announced that Dolly would officially be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, alongside Eminem, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, and Pat Benatar.
KIDNEY STONES
Dolly missed a major event at her Dollywood theme park (the launch of the Night Flight Expedition ride) because she developed a kidney stone that later caused an infection.
The doctor advised that she not travel until the infection cleared and she was better, which meant she couldn’t attend in person.
In a video message, Dolly addressed her fans, saying: “Well, I had a little problem. I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems.
“Turned out it’d given me an infection … the doctor said … you need a few days to get better.”
She reassured them she was “there in spirit” and that she would be okay, though the incident forced her to step back from scheduled appearances.
The Grammy Award winner also revealed that her condition wasn’t serious; she “just can’t do it today.”
GRIEF OVER HUSBAND’S DEATH
The timing added another worry for fans, especially since this came in a year marked by other health challenges and after the loss of her husband, Carl Dean.
Away from the stage, Dolly has been battling huge personal grief.
The country singer confirmed in March that her husband Carl Dean had sadly died at the age of 82.
When the news of his passing was revealed earlier this year, Dolly said in a statement: “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together.
“Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.
“Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Dolly did not reveal her husband’s cause of death, but had previously been diagnosed with alzheimer’s disease in 2019.
She then released a song – her first new track in two years – dedicated to her late spouse.
Dolly missed a major event at her Dollywood theme park because she developed a kidney stone that later caused an infection[/caption]
She reassured fans she was “there in spirit” and that she would be okay, though the incident forced her to step back from scheduled appearances[/caption]
Dolly Parton was diagnosed with endometriosis in her 30s[/caption]
Fans think the singer needs to slow down and put her health first[/caption]
