Dolly Parton Celebrates 80 Amid Health Scares

Country music legend Dolly Parton marked her 80th birthday on Monday, January 19, 2026, following recent health concerns that had led her to postpone her Las Vegas residency. She had previously informed fans in September 2025 about needing medical procedures, humorously likening it to a "100,000-mile check-up." Parton took to social media to assure her followers that she was "not dying" and needed to slow down to care for herself after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025.

The "Jolene" singer celebrated her milestone birthday with an Instagram post featuring a butterfly-shaped cake and a vibrant corset. Her famous friends, including Billy Ray Cyrus and Hoda Kotb, sent birthday wishes. The Grand Ole Opry and the Academy of Country Music also extended their congratulations to the beloved artist.

Despite her pause in public appearances and missing her 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry on January 17, 2026, Parton has continued her charitable work. On January 16, 2026, she released a new version of "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" with prominent artists like Miley Cyrus, Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire, and Queen Latifah to raise funds for pediatric cancer research at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.