If you've been following Dolly Parton this year, you know that she's had a few health scares as of late. Being the icon that she is, it's understandable that any announcement about her health is going to cause concern. Especially if that announcement comes from a close friend or family member of hers. But not to worry, Parton has assured fans that she "ain't dead yet!" despite sharing that she's had to deal with a kidney stone infection this year.
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However, there was a time when many fans thought Dolly Parton was on the brink of death. Back in October, Frieda Parton, Dolly's younger sister, frightened fans when she posted that she needed fans to "pray for Dolly". Even though Dolly has reassured everyone since then that she's okay, Frieda recently spoke to News Channel 11. She explained that her intentions really were pure, despite the outcome of the whole thing.
"I just said what I said because Mama told us to pray," Freida shared. "And so I prayed, and I wanted people to pray for her because she wasn't feeling good. It's like, hey, I didn't mean it to happen. I just asked, you know, for people to pray for her — because that's the way I was raised."
She also joked that Dolly probably didn't think she "knew about the internet," so there were no hard feelings.
Why People Thought Dolly Was Sick Back in September
It all started when Frieda Parton posted on
Facebook on October 7, asking Dolly Parton fans for prayers. Although the post has since been privated, here's what she had to say."Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly," she wrote. "Many of you know she hasn't been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me." This followed Dolly missing an event at Dollywood in September, which many fans noticed out of concern.
The words ultimately caused a lot of ruckus, and a lot of upset people. However, Dolly assured fans in a video message that she was more than fine. The truth is, Parton had let herself go a bit after the death of her husband Carl Dean in March, and had been told to prioritize her own health.
"I wanted to say, I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I'm working hard here!" Parton opened the video. "Anyway, I wanted to put everybody's mind at ease, those of you that seem to be real concerned—which I appreciate. And I appreciate your prayers because I'm a person of faith... But I want you to know that I'm okay."
So, you heard it here first! Dolly Parton is doing better than ever, and she's not slowing down anytime soon.
