Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 15

Dolly Parton Misses Dollywood Coaster Opening at 80 as Doctor Bars Travel Over Dehydration

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 15

Dolly Parton Misses Dollywood Coaster Opening at 80 as Doctor Bars Travel Over Dehydration

Q: What specific medical treatments are keeping an 80-year-old Dolly Parton away from her theme park, and will she ever perform live again?

Dolly Parton has not disclosed a single formal diagnosis or a detailed treatment plan, but the health issues keeping her from Dollywood appear to involve treatment for dizziness, dehydration, recurring kidney stones, and longer-term immune and digestive problems. In her recent updates, she said doctors are using medications and other treatments to “rebuild and strengthen” her immune and digestive systems, and she has also referred to needing “a few procedures.” She has not publicly identified those procedures beyond discussing kidney stones and a prior infection. The immediate reason she missed the Aug. 14 Dollywood event was her doctor’s advice not to travel that week. Parton said she was dehydrated and sometimes gets dizzy, and that some of her medications leave her feeling “swimmy-headed,” which she has said makes live performance unsafe, especially given the physical demands of singing onstage in high heels while carrying instruments. As for whether she will perform live again, there is no firm date and no guarantee, but Parton herself has not framed this as retirement. She has repeatedly said her conditions are treatable, that she is responding well to medication, and that she expects to return once she is back to “stage-performance level.” She has also continued working on major projects and has made at least one surprise in-person appearance this summer, suggesting she is still active, though not yet ready for regular live shows.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 15

Dolly Parton skipped Friday’s Dollywood opening for the new NightFlight Expedition roller coaster, appearing by video instead after her doctor told her to remain in Nashville.
The 80-year-old singer said ongoing health issues left her dehydrated and dizzy, adding that her doctor had “clipped my wings” and barred travel for the week.
The absence extends a broader pullback from live appearances after Parton canceled her Las Vegas residency in May, saying she was improving on medication but not yet ready for stage-performance demands.
Parton has not detailed the underlying condition, though she has previously cited kidney stones and immune and digestive problems while stressing that her doctors consider her issues treatable.

Sources

Fox News5d ago

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WKRN News 26d ago

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WATE 6 On Your Side6d ago

Dolly Parton to miss opening of Dollywood's new ride NightFlight Expedition

12 Sources

What specific medical treatments are keeping an 80-year-old Dolly Parton away from her theme park, and will she ever perform live again?

As Dolly battles severe health struggles, how will her massive entertainment empire survive without its iconic leading lady stepping into the public spotlight?