Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
At 80, the legendary singer is preparing to open her SongTeller Hotel in Nashville in September 2026, while also moving forward with several other projects.
Dolly Parton is opening up about her recent health struggles while also revealing plans for a new museum dedicated to her life and career in Nashville.
The 80-year-old country music icon tells PEOPLE on Friday, Aug. 21, that she has been dealing with some difficult health challenges recently. Parton explains that she overlooked certain health concerns while caring for her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away in March 2025 at age 82.
Parton also points out that health difficulties are not unfamiliar to her. She recalls experiencing significant health problems in the early 1980s that left her unable to work for several months.
The singer says the constant presence of social media has also changed how celebrities’ health situations are perceived, with even minor updates receiving widespread attention. Despite still recovering, however, Parton insists that she continues to work and remain involved in her many projects.
Although traditional touring may not be part of her future in the same way it once was, Parton is exploring new ways to connect with audiences. She reveals that she and her team have begun working with companies specializing in avatar-based performances, although the project is still in its early development stages.
Her latest comments come shortly after she made a virtual appearance at the opening of Dollywood’s newest attraction, NightFlight Expedition. Rather than attending the event in person, Parton appeared in a video after her doctors advised her not to travel to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
During the video, Parton explained that she had been experiencing occasional dizziness and dehydration and said her Nashville doctor had instructed her to stay home rather than make the trip.
Despite her health setbacks, Parton continues to pursue new ventures. She recently announced the upcoming Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville, an attraction designed to give visitors a closer look at her remarkable life, career and personal stories. The museum describes itself as the largest exhibition devoted to Parton’s life anywhere in the world.
According to Parton, the idea came together after she and her team discovered a downtown Nashville building that immediately felt like the right location. The space will also be connected to her upcoming SongTeller Hotel, which is scheduled to welcome guests in September 2026.
Parton says she had been searching for a special project in downtown Nashville but did not want to create another ordinary bar. After seeing the building and discovering a copy of her book Songteller in the lobby, she felt inspired to turn the location into something more meaningful. The museum will occupy the building’s third floor, creating a unique destination where visitors can experience more of her story.