Dolly Parton’s younger sister Stella has confirmed the music icon’s mystery health condition in a post defending her sibling Freida.
Parton, 79, sparked worldwide concern when she announced she was postponing six shows for her from her upcoming Dolly: Live in Las Vegas residency, and her younger sister Freida shared an update she had been ‘up all night praying for my sister’.
Now Stella, 76, has taken to X to defend Freida’s post – and detail how the 9 To 5 hitmaker has been battling kidney stones.
She wrote on X on Wednesday: ‘To those with genuine concern for my big sister Dolly’s well being, she posted a video last week to share with her fans that she has had kidney stones and is getting treatment.
‘My sister Freida is always concerned when one of her siblings isn’t feeling well so she ask for prayers on Dolly’s behalf. It’s my job as a sister to both of them to love and respect their privacy as I expect them to do for me.
‘To those of you who make it your job to attack me for not being your personal information center, you need to go check their pages! Most fans are genuinely concerned but some of you are way out of line with disregard for my feelings concerning their wellbeing.
‘My big sister will share with her fans when she so chooses in the meantime don’t come at me with questions or insults.’
This comes after Parton’s representatives confirmed that the singer was not seriously ill after her family asked fans to send love and prayers to the country musician.
Dolly’s UK manager Olly Rowland has confirmed that Freida’s post has blown Dolly’s mysterious illness out of proportion.
He explained: ‘It’s just the kidney stones, and the procedure she needs to resolve those.
‘It looks like her sister posted, and it got quite a bit blown out of proportion, weirdly.’
Freida has also shared an update on Facebook as she penned: ‘I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious.
‘She’s been a little under the weather and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer.
‘It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.’
Dolly has previously suffered from kidney stones both last month and back in 2015.
On Tuesday night Frieda took to Facebook telling fans: ‘Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly.
‘Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.’
‘She’s strong, she’s loved,’ she continued. ‘And with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!
Dolly announced on September 28 that she would be postponing her Las Vegas residency — originally scheduled from December 4 to December 13 at the Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace — until September 2026 due to ‘health challenges.’
The star shared the news directly with fans on Instagram, explaining that she has been facing health challenges that require her to undergo several medical procedures.
‘I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,’ Parton wrote. ‘As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.’
In her signature style, she joked that it felt like time for her ‘100,000-mile check-up,’ clarifying that it wasn’t her ‘usual trip to see [her] plastic surgeon.’
Despite the setback, Parton reassured fans that she is not retiring.
‘Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet,’ she said.
‘But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding.’
Underneath the post, Olivia Munn left a string of red heart emojis, while the singer Brandi Carlile praised Parton as ‘beyond reproach’.
Country star Jennifer Nettles added: ‘Big adventures for you, for sure! Can’t wait to enjoy them with you! In the meantime, tend to yourself and feel better!’
Actress Julianne Hough shared three heart emojis.
Other fans echoed the same sentiment: ‘Protect this queen at all costs!!!!,’ one wrote, while another gushed, ‘Heal strong, Queen Dolly!’
One commenter summed up the mood of many, writing: ‘We love you so much please slow it down and recharge.’
Last month, Dolly sparked concern over her health after cancelling a prescheduled trip to Dollywood, where she had been set to announce the park’s latest attraction.
Although the 9 To 5 hitmaker was unable to attend the event in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, she revealed in a pre-recorded video message that she was recovering from kidney stones.
Despite her absence, Dolly looked to be in good health during her video appearance, and she promised fans she will return to Dollywood soon.
In 2015, she revealed that she had three kidney stones removed and was ‘doing just fine’.
‘I love and appreciate everyone’s concern,’ she wrote in a statement on her website, at the time.
