In all her 77 years, Dolly Parton has been nothing short of a force of nature, charging into each day’s new venture. She still isn’t shying away from keeping herself busy; but now, Parton has confirmed, touring is off the table.
Parton has gradually adjusted her schedule to favor one-off or weekend events over interstate tours. But she’s also always planned on spending her very last breath singing on stage. However, she also has to be mindful of her husband, Carl Dean, whose health van be precarious.
Dolly Parton formally rules out touring due to health concerns
Speaking with Good Housekeeping, Parton shared, “I don’t tour anymore. I’ve got so many business things I’m doing. And my husband and I are getting older – he’s a little older than I am – and I kind of need to be with him.”
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These many forces vying for her attention just cannot be reconciled anymore, said Parton, adding, “You got to be committed to that [touring]. And I did that all my life.”
This doesn’t rule out any and all concerts. But most importantly, Parton specified, “I have no intention of going on a full-blown tour anymore… I don’t want to be gone for four or five weeks at a time.”
Catching up with the country couple
In this new normal for Parton, fans can expect “special shows here and there” and “maybe a long weekend of shows or just a few shows at a festival.” After all, she’s “not one to sit around doin’ nothin’” and in lieu of retiring plans on dropping dead onstage.
But with Carl Dean reaching 81, Parton remains mindful of his health needs. He was reportedly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago and allegedly suffers from high blood pressure and a weak heart. Even so, Parton describes Dean as “a country boy, he loves to work on his tractors, he was in asphalt paving.” The two live vastly different lives since, as Parton has established over the years, “He likes the privacy, and he would never in a million years do an interview.” Indeed, this will represent a much quieter time of Parton’s life, as when the two do spend time together, which will be happening a lot more, she likes to ditch the wigs and makeup to comfortably travel around in an RV with Dean. In this way, they can eat at barbecue joints, tour national parks, and peruse antique shops comfortably.
Even as they slow down physically, their devotion has continued full speed ahead, as it shall continue through this new phase in Parton’s career, sans touring.
