Dolly Parton Apologizes for Missing Dollywood Induction Ceremony, Revealing She’s Still Battling Health Challenges. ML

NEED TO KNOW

• Dolly Parton accepted her induction into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Hall of Fame virtually on Monday, Nov. 17
• Parton was honored for her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood
• “You probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall, and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while,” Parton said in her acceptance video

Dolly Parton apologized for missing the Hall of Fame ceremony for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) on Monday, Nov. 17.

Parton, 79, was inducted into the IAAPA’s Hall of Fame for her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood. In a video message shared on Instagram on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Parton wore a bedazzled sky blue outfit as she accepted the honor remotely.

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

Parton continued the video by thanking her business partners in Dollywood, and apologizing for her absence.

“And I’m truly sorry I can’t be there, but I sure wanted to take the chance to say, thank you for this incredible honor. And to Jack and Peter, hey, thank you for being my partners and my friends for more than 40 years,” she said. “You’ve been a blessing to me, and I love you dearly. You know, our partnership is truly special. I trust them, and they trust me, and they always listen when I come in with one of my big ideas and dreams.”

Parton then recalled the moment she had the “big idea” to open Dollywood, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.

“I dreamed of a place right here in the Smoky Mountains where my family could perform and where we could provide steady work for the good people in our community and where families could come and laugh and play and have fun, and make memories together,” the “Jolene” singer elaborated.

Parton said she was “so nervous” on opening day, feeling like “a kid waiting to see if anybody was gonna show up at a birthday party.” However, she was pleasantly surprised by the level of support she received.

“And I peeked out the window of my bus, saw all those cars lined up, and would you believe it? They’re still lining up today,” Parton added.

She went on to say she was “just so grateful that you consider me worthy of this recognition,” before adding that the induction was a “big, incredible way” to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dollywood.

Parton noted that she is only the second woman ever inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame on her own, and just the fourth in its 100-year history.

“For me and for everyone who makes Dollywood what it is, and all my friends and partners, and to all of you out there helping families make magic every day in your own parks and places,” she said. “Remember that I will always love you and thank you again.”

Parton’s absence comes shortly after she accepted an honorary Oscar remotely. The country icon was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in a video message on Nov. 16 at the 2025 Governors Awards. The win marks the first Oscar for Parton, who has twice been nominated for Best Original Song.Dolly Parton attends “Dolly: An Original Musical” fireside chat and press conference at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on January 28, 2025.

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

“I grew up in a house with 12 kids,” Parton said as she held her Oscar statuette. “Now, that alone teaches you how important sharing is. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t have that much to share. But my mom and daddy showed me by example that the more you give, the more blessings come your way.”

The Nashville legend postponed her Las Vegas residency due to an unspecified illness in October, though she had mentioned earlier in September that she had been having issues with kidney stones. Parton announced she would be pushing back the performances by nearly a year to focus on her health.

“Dolly is getting better every day,” a source close to Parton told PEOPLE in last week’s cover story of the “I Will Always Love You” singer’s health.

“She is at home taking care of herself while many friends and family visit her,” the source added of Parton who just released her new book Star of the Show: My Life on Stage. “In true Dolly spirit she has already started decorating for the holidays — her favorite time of year.”