Dolly Parton, 79, Forced to Postpone Vegas Residency After Doctors Order Multiple Medical Procedures — Country Icon Opens Up About Her Health Battle
Dolly Parton, the legendary voice of country music and a beloved icon across generations, has announced a heartbreaking but necessary decision: she is postponing her long-anticipated Las Vegas residency after doctors advised her to undergo a series of medical procedures amid ongoing health challenges.
In a direct message to her fans shared via social media on September 28, 2025, Parton broke the news. The shows, originally scheduled for December 2025 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace under the title “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas,” will now be pushed back to September 2026.
“Many of you know I’ve been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me I must have a few procedures,” she wrote in her post. “I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.”
Parton tempered the news with her trademark humor, joking that perhaps it’s time for her “100,000-mile check-up,” “though it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon.” But she made it clear that this is serious: she needs time to heal so that she can give her audience the best performance possible.
She also reassured fans that postponing the residency is not a signal of retirement. “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet,” she said, adding that she believes He is telling her to slow down for now so she can be ready for more adventures later.
This decision comes on the heels of several public health scares. Earlier this month, Parton had to miss a scheduled appearance at Dollywood due to complications from a kidney stone that led to an infection. At the time, she followed her doctors’ advice not to travel, citing that the stone had created other issues which needed medical attention.
Her recent personal losses may also have compounded the strain. In March 2025, Parton lost her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean. On a recent podcast appearance, she shared that she felt unable to pour herself fully into new music or large creative projects, saying the emotional toll is heavy and that she’s “just putting that all on hold.”
Fans, understandably, have responded with a mixture of concern, support, and gratitude for her transparency. Many praised her for putting health first and for her commitment to returning when she is ready.
Although the delay is disappointing, it underscores the pressure on public figures, especially longtime stars, to maintain a demanding performance schedule even amid aging bodies, grief, and health setbacks. For Parton, it appears this pause is not an end—but a necessary intermission.
As she more than hinted in her message: she’s not done yet. She’s simply choosing to step off stage for now, heal, and come back stronger.
