A little over a week ago, Dolly Parton announced she was postponing her Las Vegas residency due to “health challenges.” The 79-year-old country star said her doctors had recommended she undergo a “few procedures” but promised she would be back onstage soon. “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet,” she wrote in the statement she shared to Instagram.
But on Tuesday, Dolly’s sister, Freida Parton, alarmed fans with a statement that made it sound like things were looking more dire. In a Facebook post, Freida said she’d been “up all night praying for my sister, Dolly” and asked fans to join her in prayer. “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,” she wrote. “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”
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Naturally, the statement fueled widespread speculation — and concern — about the state of Dolly’s health. Hours later, Freida came back with another Facebook post, reassuring everyone that her sister is all right. “I want to clear something up. I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” Freida wrote. “She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer.” Freida said she intended her post as “nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister” and thanked everyone “for lifting her up.” “Your love truly makes a difference,” she added.
