Behind the Glitz: Dolly Parton’s Battle with Chronic Health Issues The Queen of Country pauses her tour after doctors order “a few procedures”. Inside her history of kidney stones and the impact of a partial hysterectomy.
The “Queen of Country”, Dolly Parton, has long maintained a sunny, energetic public persona, but behind the dazzling spotlight, the star has quietly contended with significant health challenges throughout her life.
While she often makes light of needing a “100,000-mile check-up,” her medical history includes chronic conditions, major surgery, and recent health setbacks that have caused her to postpone major performances.
Recent Health Challenges: Kidney Concerns and Postponements
In late 2025, Dolly Parton announced she would be postponing her highly anticipated Las Vegas residency due to unspecified “health challenges” and the need to undergo “a few procedures” as advised by her doctors.
The most widely reported specific issue leading up to this was a recurrence of problems related to her kidneys.
- Kidney Stones and Infection: In September 2025, Parton was forced to cancel an appearance at her Dollywood theme park due to a kidney stone that had caused an infection. She had undergone similar procedures in the past, including having three kidney stones removed in 2015. Kidney stones can be extremely painful and require prompt medical attention, especially when an infection is present.
- Need for Procedures: While the full nature of the procedures she requires has not been disclosed, her need to recover has necessitated a temporary slowdown of her demanding schedule. Her sister, Freida Parton, publicly asked for prayers for the 79-year-old icon, underscoring the seriousness of her current condition.
- Emotional Toll: The past year has also included the emotional stress of the loss of her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025. Grief can often compound physical health issues.
Past Battle: Endometriosis and Depression
One of the most profound health struggles Parton has faced involved a chronic gynecological condition in the 1980s that dramatically impacted her personal and mental well-being.
- Endometriosis: In 1982, Parton was diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This condition forced her to cancel a tour and led to her eventually undergoing a partial hysterectomy at the age of 36.
- Infertility and Mental Health: The surgery meant Parton was unable to conceive children naturally, a loss that, combined with the stress of her career, plunged her into a deep depression. She has been candid about this dark period, which she described as a complete physical and emotional breakdown, even admitting she contemplated suicide at one point. She credits this difficult time with forcing her to slow down and reprioritize her well-being.
Despite these ongoing and past health issues, Dolly Parton has reassured her fans that she is not retiring, stating that she believes she is only being told to “slow down right now” so she can be ready for more adventures.
This video explores Dolly Parton’s private battle with a serious health condition that influenced her personal life and career Dolly Parton Tried to Keep Her Disease a Secret, Now We Know.
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