Dolly Parton Declared 'I’m Gonna Keep on Working as Long as I Can' Just Days Before She Died: 'So Many Things I Want to Achieve'

Though Dolly Parton was dealing with health issues before her sudden passing on Tuesday, August 25, the superstar, who was 80, had no plans on letting her complications slow her down.

The country star had to miss an event at her Dollywood theme park on August 14 due to health woes, but she brushed off fans' worries in an interview shortly after.

"As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl," she told People, referring to her late husband, Carl Dean, who passed away at age 82 in 2025.

"You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this," the Grammy winner noted. "Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health."

"Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!" Parton declared at the time. "You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life."

The blonde beauty explained she had to skip the theme park event because she "sometimes" gets "a little dizzy and dehydrated."

Despite brushing off fans' concerns, Parton was secretly hospitalized due to "kidney and autoimmune issues" on August 20.

TMZ reported she died in the hospital on the morning of August 25, with her sister's son Bryan Seaver confirming the news in a video posted to her Instagram page.

"I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton. Sister, sis, aunt, granny to one generation and Gigi to the next," he shared. "This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago."

"As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father, Larry, held before, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment, but haven't truly felt it until now," he continued. "Dolly opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that everything was possible."

"It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly," Seaver gushed. "Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens."

An official press release revealed "a small, private service will be held for the singer's immediate family."