Dolly Parton shares emotional Thanksgiving message after revealing health struggles

Dolly Parton posted a sweet Thanksgiving message to her fans on Instagram Thursday, looking healthy and vibrant after worrying fans due to her recent health struggles.

Wearing a brown tweed top and styling her blond hair up with a few curls down, the 79-year-old music icon appeared animated during her message.

“Well hey! It’s Dolly here, and I want to wish all of you and your family blessings this Thanksgiving,” she said. “I am so thankful for all of you and for the memories that we’ve shared through the years. So Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and just know that I will always love you.”

Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency in September due to health issues. She shared with fans at the time that doctors told her that she “must have a few procedures” done.

“As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!” she quipped. “In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.”

Fans were later alarmed, however, when the “Jolene” singer’s sister Freida shared on Facebook that she was “up all night praying” for Parton.

“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,” Freida wrote in part. “Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

Freida eventually clarified her comments after fans expressed concern.

“I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” she wrote. “She’s been a little under the weather.”

Parton herself took to X to declare she “ain’t dead yet!”

In the clip, the “9 to 5” singer explained that she wanted to address her medical issues head-on as “everybody thinks that I’m sicker than I am.”

“Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here,” she stressed. “I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease. Those that seemed to be real concerned, which I appreciate, and I appreciate your prayers.”

The 11-time Grammy winner recently told People that she has no plans to slow down.

“People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what?” she told the outlet. “Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started.”

“I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine,” she continued. “I think there’s a lot to be said about age. If you allow yourself to get old, you will. I say, ‘I ain’t got time to get old!’ I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about.”