Dolly Parton is opening up about her health — and revealing why she may have overlooked some warning signs of her own personal well-being in recent years while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean.
The country icon, 80, spoke with People on Friday about her health as she prepares to open a new museum celebrating her extraordinary life in Nashville. And while Dolly is still working by creating and dreaming up new projects with boundless energy, she also acknowledged that she has been through some difficult times health-wise.
Related: Dolly Parton Makes EXCITING Announcement Amid Health Struggles
The singer explained:
“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.”
So sad…
That heartbreaking comment comes after Dean died in March of last year at age 82. Parton has previously spoken about the profound loss of her husband of nearly 60 years, and now she’s revealing that caring for him meant putting some of her own needs aside.
And yet this isn’t Dolly’s first serious health scare, either. Looking back at the early 1980s, she recalled being:
“…down for several months with female issues.”
She also put her current situation into perspective, saying:
“It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health. But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”
And she certainly is!
Earlier this month, Dolly appeared by video rather than in person for the debut of Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition after her doctors advised her not to travel. She explained at the time that she had been experiencing dizziness and dehydration, joking that her Nashville doctor had “clipped my wings.”
Related: Reba McEntire Blasts ‘Crazy’ Dolly Parton AI Death Hoax
Thankfully, the superstar isn’t letting health setbacks stop her from staying busy. Her upcoming Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville is being billed as the largest exhibit celebrating her life anywhere in the world.
And that’s not all. Dolly is also developing new dog treats with Purina, launching Cup of Ambition Coffee with Community Coffee, and exploring avatar performances that could eventually allow her to deliver musical experiences to fans without touring in the traditional way.
She says those avatar performances are still in the “early stages of development,” FYI. Whoa!!!
For now, though, Dolly is taking things one step at a time — and hopefully giving herself the same care and attention she has spent so many years giving everyone else.
Sending all the love and light in the world to this true living legend!
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
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