Dolly Parton’s Sister Freida Breaks Silence After Her Prayer Post Sparked Fans’ Panic

Dolly Parton’s younger sister Freida says there’s no family feud despite accidentally setting off alarm bells among fans when she asked the public to pray for the country legend amid health concerns.

In October, Freida’s post went viral, prompting widespread worry about Dolly’s condition. But according to Freida, 68, her famous sister, 79, wasn’t upset in the slightest.

“I just said what I said because Mama told us to pray. And, so I prayed, and I wanted people to pray for her because she wasn’t feeling good,” Freida told WJHL on Saturday, January 3.

Freida explained that she shared the message out of concern, not realizing how fast it would spread online. She said Dolly likely understood that her sister didn’t anticipate the reaction, especially given how quickly social media can amplify even well-meaning posts.

The next day, Dolly reassured fans with a lighthearted video, joking that she “ain’t dead yet” and thanking supporters for their prayers. Freida later clarified that Dolly was simply feeling under the weather and that she never intended to cause panic.

In September, Dolly announced that she was postponing her upcoming Las Vegas residency, Dolly: Live in Las Vegas due to unspecified “health challenges” and some “upcoming procedures” recommended by her doctors. The show is now scheduled to go on September 2026.

Despite the setback, a source told the National Enquirer that the “Jolene” singer was still working hard. “She’s checking in with her business team about day-to-day decisions, humming her lines and even checking in to see if some of her older friends are doing okay,” the source said

“It’s understandable to a degree because her hard wiring means that being a workaholic is second nature, but some are worried that she’s once again pushing herself without taking the adequate rest.”