HEALTH Women's Health September 24, 2025 0 Comments

Dolly Parton, 79, Battles Silent Kidney Stone Warrior—Her Gritty Health Update Will Inspire Your Own Comeback!

Dolly Parton—now there’s a name that conjures up sparkle, sass, and seriously timeless charm. Can you believe she’s gearing up to hit the big 8-0 this coming January? Yet, last week, even the ever-resilient Iron Butterfly reminded us she’s human after all. When Dolly had to cancel her much-anticipated Dollywood appearance due to a kidney stone that sparked an infection, it got me thinking: how often do we brush off those nagging health warnings until they hit us hard? It’s wild to realize that behind that iconic smile and unstoppable energy lies the realness of aging—and the real risks that come with it, especially for women over 50. So, what’s the scoop on kidney stones, and more importantly, how can we dodge these tiny tormentors before they strike? Let’s dive into Dolly’s latest health detour and uncover the wisdom she’s sharing on staying ahead of the pain. LEARN MORE

Dolly Parton is aging with such grace and glamour, it’s hard to believe she’ll celebrate her 80th birthday in January. Yet fans got a little reminder last week that the Grammy legend, who has earned the nickname Iron Butterfly, is not entirely invincible. Dolly cancelled a planned appearance on September 17 at her theme park, Dollywood, telling fans she was dealing with a health issue.

Dolly spoke to the crowd via video. “Hello, Dollywood! It’s me,” she said in a taped message shared on social media by those gathered to hear about a new white-water adventure ride. “I’m here, and you’re there, and you’re wondering why that is.” Her explanation: “I had a kidney stone that was causing me a lot of problems, turned out it’d given me an infection,” she continued. “The doctor said, ‘You don’t need to be traveling right this minute…you need a few days to get better.’ So, he suggested I not go to Dollywood today, but I’m there with you in spirit. I was looking so forward to it.”

Now if you think an infection following a kidney stone sounds painful, you’re right. Here’s everything we know about Dolly Parton’s health scare, including how she’s doing today and how you can protect yourself from kidney stones.

Dolly had a previous health scare with kidney stones

Back in 2015, Dolly missed a different Dollywood event, and tabloids went wild. Though some reported it as a bout of kidney stones, others said she had a device implanted to control digestive problems and that scar tissue was being tested for cancer. One story even declared that she had undergone surgery as part of a secret battle with stomach cancer. Dolly issued a statement with her signature good cheer.

What celebrity most inspires you to live a healthier life?

“It is true that I had kidney stones. I had them removed three weeks ago and I am doing just fine! I am back to work and last week, I was at Dollywood filming parts for my new movie ‘Coat of Many Colors,’” she said. “I [also] did a full week of activities promoting my new DreamMore Resort’s opening. There is absolutely no truth at all that I have stomach cancer. I love and appreciate everyone’s concern.”

Why women over 50 are at risk for kidney stones

Though reality was far less scary than some tabloids made it out to be, it’s no small thing that Dolly was already dealing with kidney stones at age 69. The way most people realize they have a stone is “excruciating pain in the flank area radiating down towards the pelvis,” says Jason Fung, MD, a nephrologist trained at UCLA and the University of Toronto. Stones can also cause urinary blockages that can lead to infection, which can even progress to sepsis and be life-threatening.

“Unfortunately, the risk of kidney stones is increasing in women, and the risk goes up as you get older,” notes Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND, founder of TheKidneyDietician.org. The latest data shows 1 in 10 women can expect kidney stones at some point, with a 2022 study in the journal BMC Urology indicating risk of first-time kidney stones is greatest when we’re between the ages of 50 and 70.

A big reason for higher risk of stones after age 50 is that estrogen helps protect our kidneys, so as levels drop after menopause, we’re more prone to issues. A 2021 analysis in the journal Biology of Sex Differences also found that women have more difficulty passing stones and are more prone to stone-related infections and complications that require hospitalization.

Dolly’s good habits to prevent kidney stones—and one to avoid

While Dolly hasn’t shared specific details of the steps she’s taking to manage her condition, she has discussed healthy lifestyle habits that get thumbs up from kidney experts.

Drinking coffee and staying hydrated

Dolly has often said she loves a good “cup of ambition” in the mornings. Smart move. Coffee has a diuretic effect, so it helps us flush minerals out of the urinary tract so they can’t become stones. Coffee’s antioxidants and caffeine also seem to fight stone formation. And in an American Journal of Kidney Diseases study on over half a million people, those who regularly drank coffee had significantly lower risk of kidney stones.

To minimize risk of kidney stones, hydration is key all day long. Otherwise “urine gets too concentrated with stone-forming minerals,” notes Betz, who has not treated Dolly. “The American Urological Association recommends that everyone with kidney stones consume enough fluid to make at least 2 1/2 liters of urine per day,” she notes. “For most people, that’s about three liters of fluid.”

You don’t have to drink plain water, but maybe skip Dolly’s beloved sweet tea. Turns out, black tea is packed with compounds called oxalates, a building block of the most common type of kidney stones. Sugary drinks can also drive metabolic changes that increase risk of stones. A great alternative: Unsweetened green tea and herbal tea like chamomile and rooibos contain compounds that actually lower stone risk.

Eating a well-balanced diet

Back in 1984, Dolly collapsed during an Indianapolis concert. Struggling with endometriosis and other issues at the time, “I wasn’t watching what I ate, I wasn’t conscious of nutrition, wasn’t taking care of myself,” she confessed in her 2017 book Dolly on Dolly.

The incident inspired improvements in her lifestyle. “I try to stay on my low-carb diet during the week,” Dolly told The Express in 2023. She’ll still splurge a bit on the weekends, but has found a nice balance that keeps her smile big and her waist small. That’s a great thing, says Dr. Fung, who has not treated Dolly. “Obesity is a risk factor for stones, and losing weight can sometimes help,” says the doc, who first used intermittent fasting strategies in his bestseller The Obesity Code to help improve weight control and overall outcomes in kidney patients.

Betz adds that your meal choices can have a big impact. For example, “Eating enough two to three servings of dairy a day is a great way to be sure to get in enough calcium, which helps reduce the amount of oxalate absorbed,” she says. “Eating enough calcium alone can cut kidney stone risk by 50 percent.” High fruit and vegetable consumption is generally linked to lower risk. (Find more easy diet tweaks to prevent kidney stones here.)

Paying attention to symptoms

“I always say, just find the best doctors,” Dolly recently told a country music blog asking for advice. Yes, she was talking about plastic surgery (she’s been open about having many procedures over the years. “If something is bagging, sagging or dragging, I’ll tuck it, suck it or pluck it,” she joked in 2024). But it’s solid advice when it comes to kidney health too. Regular check-ups allow your doctor to screen for calcium, oxalate or uric acid and prescribe preventive measures if your levels are increased.

And if you’ve ever had even one kidney stone, keep in mind that “there is a 75 percent chance you’ll have another in your lifetime,” says Betz, as Dolly did. If you suspect a recurrence, never try to tough it out. To reduce risk of infection, “seek medical attention immediately so you can stone removal or any other treatment needed,” says Dr. Fung

How Dolly’s faith helps her heal

Dolly, who lost her husband Carl Dean in March, has often said her faith keeps her resilient in difficult times. And while she’s grieving her husband of 59 years, she is still looking forward. “I want to be able to do good, and I just pray for God to give me strength and the energy…to show me what I need to do, where I’m most needed,” she told Woman’s World last year. “And to give me the stamina and the strength to carry it out.” In case you were wondering, scientists have repeatedly found a strong link between faith and wellbeing. Like millions of Dolly’s fans around the world, we hope this means she has many happy, healthy years ahead of her.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.