Dolly Parton is opening up about her recent health struggles while continuing to work on a long list of new projects, including a major museum celebrating her life and career in Nashville.
The country music legend, who recently turned 80, says she has been dealing with some difficult health issues but is determined to keep moving forward.
“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said, referring to her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.
Parton explained that she had spent so much time caring for Dean that she did not focus enough on her own health. She also pointed out that this is not the first major health challenge she has faced.
The singer recalled suffering from serious health problems in the early 1980s that left her “down for several months with female issues.”
“It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” she said. “But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago.”
Parton joked that she used to consider herself the “Queen of the Tabloids,” but now sees herself as the “Queen of Social Media AI” because of how quickly rumors and misinformation can spread online.
Despite still recovering, Parton made it clear that she has no plans to stop working.
“Even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’,” she said.
Her busy schedule includes finding new ways to bring her music to fans. While traditional touring may become more difficult, Parton revealed that she and her team are exploring avatar performances that could allow her to perform virtually.
She said the project is still in the early stages of development, but it could give fans another way to experience her music without requiring her to maintain the same demanding travel schedule.
Parton recently gave fans another glimpse into her health situation when she appeared virtually at the opening of Dollywood’s newest attraction, NightFlight Expedition, rather than attending the event in person.
In the video, Parton explained that her doctors had advised her not to travel because she had been experiencing dizziness and dehydration.
She joked that her Nashville doctor had “clipped my wings” by telling her she could not travel that week.
Even while dealing with those issues, Parton is continuing to expand her business and entertainment empire.
One of her biggest upcoming projects is the Life of Many Colors Museum in downtown Nashville. The attraction is being billed as the largest exhibit celebrating Parton’s life anywhere in the world.
Parton said she found the location almost by chance and immediately knew it was the right place for the museum.
She explained that she had wanted to create something special in downtown Nashville, but did not want another ordinary bar or entertainment venue. After discovering a building that once served as an office space, she realized it could become the perfect home for her collection and stories.
The museum will be located on the third floor of the building, which will also house her new SongTeller Hotel. The hotel is expected to welcome its first guests in September 2026.
Parton is also keeping busy with several other business ventures.
She is working on a new line of dog treats with Purina and is preparing to launch Cup of Ambition Coffee in partnership with Community Coffee.
The coffee brand is especially meaningful to Parton because she says the idea has been part of her dreams for decades.
“That’s a dream I’ve had for over 40 years, ever since I wrote the line about ‘cup of ambition’ in my song ‘9 to 5,’” she said.
She expects the coffee to become available for nationwide online shipping beginning in September.
Meanwhile, Dollywood recently unveiled NightFlight Expedition, the park’s 11th coaster. The new attraction represents the largest single investment in a ride in the theme park’s history.
At 80, Parton may be slowing down in some areas of her life, but she clearly has no shortage of plans. From her new Nashville museum and coffee brand to virtual performances and her expanding business ventures, the country icon is continuing to build on her legacy while taking time to focus on her health.