Dolly Parton Cancels Las Vegas Residency, Cites Health Issues and Husband's Death

Key facts

• Dolly Parton, 80, canceled her six-show Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace.
• The residency was originally scheduled for December 2025 and postponed to September 2026.
• Parton announced the cancellation in an Instagram video on Monday.
• She said she is responding well to medications and treatments but feels 'swimmy-headed'.
• Her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, died in March 2025 at age 82.
• Parton is working on opening a museum and hotel in Nashville and a Broadway musical titled 'DOLLY: A True Original Musical'.
• She topped a YouGov poll of most favorable global figures in April, ahead of Barack Obama and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Residency Canceled as Health Recovery Continues

Dolly Parton has canceled her Las Vegas residency, citing ongoing health issues that have delayed her return to the stage. The 80-year-old singer announced the decision in a social media video on Monday, eight months after she postponed the six-show run from December 2025 to September 2026. In the video, Parton described having 'good news and a little bad news.' The good news, she said, is that she is 'responding really well to meds and treatments' and is 'improving every day.' The bad news is that it will take more time before she reaches 'stage-performance level.' Parton explained that the medications and treatments leave her feeling 'swimmy-headed,' making it unsafe to perform in her signature five-inch heels while handling banjos and guitars. 'I can't be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on 5in heels,' she said.

A Year of Firsts Without Carl Dean

Parton also addressed the death of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82. The couple had been married for nearly 60 years. 'After going through a year of firsts, I mean the holidays, and especially our wedding anniversary, and the date of his death, March 3, that was hard for me,' Parton said in the video. She expressed gratitude for fans' support, saying their 'love and concern' helped her through the tragedy. 'I will always love him, and I'll always miss him,' she added, echoing the title of her iconic song.

Health Challenges: Kidney Stones and Immune System Issues

Parton has faced a series of health problems over the past few years. In the video, she mentioned recurring kidney stones, joking that 'they dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee.' More seriously, she revealed that her immune and digestive systems 'got all out of whack over the past couple of three years.' Doctors are working to 'rebuild and strengthen' those systems, and Parton expressed confidence in her recovery: 'They assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I'm going with that.' Last September, she pulled out of an appearance at Dollywood due to kidney stones, and in October, she withdrew from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Awards, where she was set to receive the Jean Hersholt humanitarian award.

Still Working on New Projects

Despite the canceled residency, Parton emphasized that she remains active. 'I am still working. I still do videos, I still record, I run up and down to Dollywood now and then,' she said. She is focused on opening her museum and hotel in Nashville later this year, and is writing and reworking her Broadway musical, titled 'DOLLY: A True Original Musical,' which is set to open in New York in the fall or early winter. Parton also made a public appearance in March at her Dollywood theme park, where she delivered a keynote speech.

Fan Support and Public Perception

Parton's fan base has remained steadfast throughout her health struggles. In April, she topped a YouGov poll of the most favorable global figures, surpassing Barack Obama and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In her video, she thanked fans for 'standing by me and showing me so much love and support over the past year.' She assured them, 'I've still got some healing to do, but I am on my way! See you soon.' Parton ended the video with a characteristic blend of humor and optimism, comparing herself to 'an old classic car that once restored, can be better than ever.' She added, 'But when they raised the hood on this old antique, they realized I need to rebuild my engine and that my transmission is slipping. My oil pan is leaking and my muffler's busted, and my shocks and pistons need to be replaced. And for sure, my spark plugs need to be changed because you know as well as I know that I can't lose my spark.'

The bottom line

• Dolly Parton canceled her Las Vegas residency due to health issues, including immune and digestive system problems and kidney stones.
• She is responding well to treatment but needs more time before she can perform on stage.
• Parton is grieving the death of her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
• She continues to work on new projects, including a Nashville museum and hotel and a Broadway musical.
• Parton remains optimistic and grateful for fan support, which she credits with helping her through difficult times.