Dolly Parton has missed another important event as she continues to face health challenges.
The 79-year-old country music icon was inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Hall of Fame during a ceremony on November 17 in Orlando, Florida. However, Parton was unable to attend in person.
The legendary singer was honoured for her work with the Dollywood theme park. In a heartfelt video message shared on Dollywood’s Instagram, Parton expressed her regret at not being able to join the celebration.
“I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you’ve probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health issues this fall, and my doctors have advised me to take it easy for a little while,” she said. “I’m truly sorry I can’t be there, but I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you for this incredible honour.”
Earlier this year, Parton postponed her Las Vegas concerts, revealing she was dealing with health problems and would need several medical procedures. Her sister later raised concerns about the severity of the situation, asking fans to keep Dolly in their thoughts and prayers.
In an update shared via Instagram on October 8, Parton reassured fans she was “doing OK” despite dealing with some health issues. She explained that following her husband’s death earlier this year, she had neglected her own well-being and let certain health matters slide. “When I finally got around to it, the doctors said, ‘We need to take care of this, we need to take care of that.’ Nothing major, but I did have to cancel a few things so I could stay closer to home.”
Dolly continues to focus on her recovery and is taking necessary time off to prioritise her health.