Dolly Parton shares Thanksgiving message amid health challenges

Dolly Parton sent a heartfelt Thanksgiving message to her fans on Thursday, sharing blessings and well wishes for the holiday.

The 79-year-old music icon appeared in high spirits as she express gratitude to her fans and their loved ones on Instagram video.

Dolly said, “Well hey! It’s Dolly here, and I want to wish all of you and your family blessings this Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for all of you and for the memories that we’ve shared through the years. So Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and just know that I will always love you.”

She captioned the post, "Wishing you and your family blessings this Thanksgiving."

The country superstar had sparked concern earlier this year after facing health challenges, which led to the cancellation of her planned Las Vegas residency and an appearance at the 16th Governors Awards, where the American singer was to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

In an October video, Dolly addressed rumours, saying, “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working.”

She explained that after her husband Carl Thomas Dean passed in March, she “let a lot of things go”

The Jolene songstress added, “So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, ‘We need to take care of this. We need to take care of that.’ Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt, you know, where I’m kind of having a few treatments here and there.” 

She also thanked fans, saying, “So I love you for caring and keep praying for me.”

Dolly Parton’s sister Freida Parton also clarified, “I didn’t mean to scare anyone… It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”