Dolly Parton’s Sister Freida Clears the Air About the Singer’s Illness

The singer previously shared a social media post asking fans to pray for her famous younger sister. The post sparked concern, with fans worrying that the country star was seriously ill.

Dolly Parton's sister, Freida Parton, is clearing the air about Dolly's health. On Tuesday, September 7, the singer took to Facebook to ask for prayers for Dolly, who she said hadn't "been feeling her best lately."

"I want to clear something up," Freida began in a subsequent post on Wednesday, October 8. "I didn't mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly."

"She's been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer," she continued. "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."

In her earlier message, Freida shared that she had been "up all night praying" for Dolly. "Many of you know she hasn't been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me," she wrote.

Freida ended her post, saying Dolly was loved and strong, and that she knew in her heart the "Jolene" songstress would be just fine. Freida's calls for prayers come after Dolly postponed her Las Vegas residency by nearly a year.

She made the announcement on social media on Sunday, September 28. "As many of you know, I've been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures," Dolly began.

"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!" she quipped. The residency was scheduled to begin this December at The Colosseum. The dates have been pushed to next September.