Dolly Parton postpones string of Las Vegas shows, needs multiple ‘procedures’

Despite health challenges, Dolly Parton, 79, insists she has no plans to retire from show business. Photo / Getty Images

Country music legend Dolly Parton has postponed a string of upcoming shows, telling fans she’s required to undergo multiple “procedures” as she deals with health challenges.

Parton, 79, made the announcement on Instagram today, pushing six Las Vegas dates booked for December to September of next year, when she will be 80 years old.

But despite the setback, the star insisted she had no plans to retire from show business.

“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts. 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,” she wrote.

Parton, famed for her cosmetically enhanced physique, said the health issues were “not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon”, and joked that she was due for her “100,000-mile check-up”.

The star said despite the dates being more than two months away, the procedures meant she would not have enough time “to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”

Parton said while she had no plans to retire, she was heeding the message to slow down, at least for now.

“And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. 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.”

Parton’s Vegas residency came after she made the decision to step away from more full-scale touring.

“I do not think I will ever tour again,” she said in a 2022 interview with Pollstar.

“I’ll do special shows here and there, now and then. Maybe do a long weekend of shows, or just a few shows at a festival. But I have no intention of going on a full-blown tour anymore.”

At the time, Parton cited one of her reasons for stepping away from touring as wanting to spend more time with her intensely private husband, Carl Dean. He died in March 2024, aged 82.

While he was almost never seen in public, he and Parton were together for more than 60 years.

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