Freida Parton has moved to reassure concerned fans that her earlier prayer request for sister Dolly was not intended to cause alarm.
The 68-year-old returned to Facebook to clarify that the country music icon has simply been “a little under the weather” rather than facing anything more serious.
“I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly,” Freida wrote in a follow-up post on Wednesday.
She explained that her initial overnight prayer vigil and public appeal stemmed purely from her belief in prayer’s power.
Dolly Parton had to postpone a series of gigs due to her health
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GETTY
“It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister,” she added, thanking supporters for their outpouring of love.
Freida’s original Facebook post on Tuesday had sparked widespread concern amongst the 79-year-old singer’s devoted fanbase.
She had written that she was “up all night praying” for Dolly, who “hasn’t been feeling her best lately”.
The younger Parton sibling had called upon fans worldwide to become “prayer warriors” alongside her. “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 had written.
Dolly Parton has put her health first | GETTY
“As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!” Dolly quipped in her Instagram statement.
The six-show engagement at Caesars Palace, which would have marked her first extended Vegas run in 32 years, has been rescheduled for September 2026.
Despite the setback, the singer assured fans she had no plans to retire, stating: “God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.”
Relieved supporters flooded social media with messages of gratitude following Freida’s clarification.
“Thank you for this post because I believe all of us were thinking the same thing in that we are not prepared for a loss like that right now!” one fan responded.
Another wrote: “The whole world loves Dolly so we all held our breath when we heard she wasn’t feeling too hot.”
Freida emphasised her strong faith had motivated the prayer request.
“I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer,” she stated, expressing appreciation for the global response.
“Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference,” she concluded.
