Dolly Parton “wishes she could be” at her upcoming 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 28: Dolly Parton performs during “Dolly: An Original Musical” fireside chat and press conference at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on January 28, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
The “9 to 5” hitmaker – who has been out of the public eye dealing with health challenges for some time – will reach the milestone age of 80 on January 19, and in honor of her special day, the iconic Nashville venue will mark her birthday for the fourth year in a row with a special concert on January 17.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Dolly Parton performs on stage at ACL Live during Blockchain Creative Labs’ Dollyverse event at SXSW during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals on March 18, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW)
Sadly, Dolly has confirmed she won’t be there to see the likes of Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, and Trannie Anderson pay tribute to her.
In a video message shared on the Grand Ole Opry’s Instagram account she said, “I just wanted to say how much it means to me that you’re all coming together again this year to celebrate my big old birthday with some of my songs. Some of my favorite memories happened right here, onstage at the Grand Ole Opry. I wish I could be there in person, but I’ll be sending you all my love for sure, so you have the best night ever.”
A spokesperson for the “Jolene” singer insisted Dolly had never planned to be at the event.
Her representative told Entertainment Weekly: “She never had plans to attend. If she were going to attend, then the Opry would have promoted that.”
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MAY 19: Dolly Parton attends the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s new exhibit ‘Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker’ at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
In October, Dolly took to social media to reassure fans she was “okay” amid mounting fears for her health.
In a video message posted on Instagram, Dolly – who had been shooting some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry – explained: “Everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am.
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – JANUARY 24: Singer Dolly Parton Performs at Agua Caliente Casino on January 24, 2014 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
“Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here!”
“I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease, those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate. I appreciate your prayers, ’cause I’m a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything. But I want you to know that I’m okay.”
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