- Dolly Parton has missed a theme park induction ceremony due to health issues.
- The icon addressed “a few health challenges” in a new video apologizing for her absence.
- Dollywood was inducted into the IAAPA convention’s Hall of Fame.
Legendary musician, Hollywood icon Dolly Parton has given a health update amid missing a major honorary ceremony for her Dollywood destination at one of the most important theme park conventions in the world.
The 79-year-old shared an optimistic video to social media Wednesday, in which she addressed “a few health challenges” that ultimately prevented her from attending Monday’s International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the annual IAAPA theme park industry convention in Orlando, Fla.
“I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while, and I’m truly sorry I can’t be there. I sure wanted to take the change to say thank you for this incredible honor,” Parton said in an Instagram video message, in which she also thanked Jack and Peter Herschend, her partners who founded the Herschend group — the company that co-owns the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Parton went on to thank for always listening “when I come in with one of my big ideas and dreams, and somehow the amazing team at Dollywood finds a way to make those dreams come true” for her and the local economy.
“I still remember when I had the big idea for Dollywood. I dreamed of a place right here in the Smoky Mountains where my family could perform, and where we could provide steady work for the good people in our community — and where families could come and laugh, play, and have fun,” she said, adding that she was “nervous” to open the property in 1986 after acquiring the pre-existing park that was previously known as Silver Dollar City before the Dollywood rebranding.
Parton finished the speech by saying, “So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for this honor, from me and from everyone who makes Dollywood what it is,” and, “Remember that I will always love you.”
Parton’s absence from IAAPA comes after a previously announced decision not to accept her honorary Oscar in person at last weekend’s Governors Awards, and instead accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences remotely from Tennessee.
The entertainer shared with the Academy a video message filmed while she stood next to her Oscar, with Parton expressing gratitude for her 9 to 5 costar Lily Tomlin (who gave an introductory speech ahead of Parton’s presentation) and to the Academy.
“I’ve been blessed more than I ever dreamed possible,” Parton said in the video. “It’s an honor just to be considered, but to receive this, that’s the blessing of a lifetime. I don’t take this kind of thing lightly. It makes me want to dream up new ways to help lift people up. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be here for? From my heart, to yours, I truly thank you.”
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Parton has publicly addressed speculation about her health in recent months, especially after her sister, Freida Parton, called for prayers for her sibling after Parton postponed upcoming shows in Las Vegas over “health challenges” in September.
Freida later clarified on social media that she “didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” and that her sister was simply “a little under the weather” and not in dire condition.
The “Jolene” singer-songwriter updated fans in a promising video shared to Instagram, where she said, “I wanted you to know that I’m not dying. I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me and I ain’t done working. So I love you for caring and keep praying for me.”
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Parton, who recently lost her husband of over 60 years, Carl Dean, additionally missed a Dollywood press conference in September over a kidney stone that caused “a little problem,” she told attendees in a recorded message.
Celebrating its 40th season next year, Dollywood remains a staple in the theme park community and is regularly ranked among the best theme parks in the world. At the September press conference that Parton missed, the park announced a unique attraction, a hybrid roller coaster/water ride combination titled NightFlight Expedition, would open in 2026 with a $50 million price tag — the single largest investment in Dollywood history.
Watch Parton accept her IAAPA honor in the video at the top of this post.