Dolly Parton’s health fears
Doctors order the country queen to slow down and look after herself
Dolly Parton has sparked fresh fears for her health – and made the shocking decision to quit country music after more than 50 years in the business.
According to new US reports, the 72-year-old singer has been confronted with one health scare after another of late, and urgent pleas from her doctors to slow down have made her re-evaluate her priorities.
“Dolly’s been experiencing intense headaches and a loss of appetite, but she was still ploughing ahead and plans to tour in late 2018,” says one source. “Finally, she saw her physician and was told she needed to get more rest, look at ways to lower her blood pressure and to remove some of the stress in her life.”
It was at that point Dolly decided to have a long chat with her husband Carl Dean, who’s been by her side for 52 years, and realised it could finally be time to give up the stage.
It’s been a hard pill for the country queen to swallow. But insiders tell Woman’s Day Dolly’s friends are concerned if she doesn’t follow through with postponing her touring plans, she could put herself at serious risk. “They know she’s a workaholic, and it won’t be easy for her to adjust to a quieter life,” tells the insider. “But they’re worried about what could happen if she doesn’t slow down.”
The 9 to 5 star, who last hit the road in 2016, after having surgery the previous year to remove kidney stones amid stomach cancer claims, also has her emotional health to focus on.
The singer once confessed, “Depression runs in my family on both sides and I have to be wary.” Hanging up her cowboy boots for good would disappoint her loyal fans but it would give Dolly the perfect opportunity to finally spend more time with her family.
“Dolly’s at her happiest singing for a crowd, but she’d rather quit on a high than keep doing it until she can barely perform,” says the source. “It seems like this was the push she needed to walk away.”
‘Depression runs in my family on both sides and I have to be wary’