Dolly Parton Addresses Health Challenges After Missing IAAPA Hall of Fame Ceremony for Dollywood

Mian Hamid November 20, 2025
Dolly Parton Addresses Health Challenges After Missing IAAPA Hall of Fame Ceremony for Dollywood

Dolly Parton has issued a heartfelt apology after missing the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Hall of Fame ceremony on Monday, Nov. 17 — an event where she was officially inducted for her legendary Tennessee theme park, Dollywood.

The 79-year-old country icon shared a video message on Instagram on Wednesday, Nov. 19, appearing in a sparkling sky-blue ensemble as she accepted the honor remotely.

“Well hey there, it’s Dolly,” she said warmly. “I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you’ve probably heard I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall. My doctors told me to take it easy for a little while.”

Parton expressed deep gratitude to her longtime Dollywood business partners, adding a sincere apology for not attending the ceremony in person.

“I’m truly sorry I can’t be there,” she said. “But I wanted to thank you for this incredible honor. And to Jack and Peter — thank you for being my partners and my friends for more than 40 years. You’ve been a blessing to me, and I love you dearly.”

She praised their trust, support, and their willingness to embrace her “big ideas and dreams,” including the most important one of all — Dollywood itself.

Parton reflected on the moment she imagined a theme park rooted in her home in the Smoky Mountains — a dream she brought to life 40 years ago.

“I dreamed of a place where my family could perform, where we could create jobs for the good people in our community, and where families could come together to laugh, play, and make memories,” the “Jolene” singer shared.

She admitted she was “so nervous” on opening day, comparing the feeling to waiting to see if anyone would show up to a birthday party. But the turnout exceeded every expectation.

“I peeked out the window of my bus and saw all those cars lined up,” she recalled. “And they’re still lining up today.”

Parton said she was “so grateful” for the recognition, noting that she is only the second woman ever inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame on her own — and just the fourth woman in the organization’s 100-year history. She called the honor a “big, incredible way” to celebrate Dollywood’s 40th anniversary.

“For me, everyone who makes Dollywood what it is, and for all of you out there helping families make magic every day — thank you,” she concluded. “And remember, I will always love you.”

Parton’s IAAPA absence comes shortly after she accepted an honorary Oscar remotely. The Nashville star received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during the 2025 Governors Awards on Nov. 16 — marking her first Oscar after two prior nominations for Best Original Song.

Accepting the award from her home in Nashville, she called it “a great honor” and “a blessing of a lifetime.”

“I grew up in a house with 12 kids,” she said while holding the Oscar. “We didn’t have much, but my mom and daddy taught me that the more you give, the more blessings come your way.”

The music legend postponed her Las Vegas residency in October due to an unspecified illness, following her earlier admission in September that she’d been dealing with kidney stones. She has pushed back the residency by nearly a year to prioritize her health.

A source close to Parton recently told that “Dolly is getting better every day.”

“She’s at home taking care of herself while friends and family visit her,” the insider shared, adding that in true Dolly fashion, she has already begun decorating for the holidays — her favorite time of year.

Parton also just released her new book, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, even as she continues focusing on rest and recovery.

More Celebrity Stories You’ll Love: Real People, Real Courage

Tags: