Quick Read
- Dolly Parton accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar via video from her Nashville home at the 2025 Governors Awards.
- She postponed Las Vegas shows due to health issues, including a kidney stone and infections, but reassured fans she is not retiring.
- Parton’s husband Carl Dean passed away in March 2025 after a long illness.
- Her Imagination Library program received significant new funding and she continues her philanthropic work.
- Parton released a memoir and will return to the stage in 2026, also inspiring a Broadway musical about her life.
Dolly Parton’s Rare Video Appearance: Honoring a Lifetime of Giving
On November 16, 2025, the world witnessed Dolly Parton’s rare video appearance from her Nashville home at the Academy’s Governors Awards. The moment was poignant: Parton, age 79, accepted the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, her first-ever Oscar, not for music, but for a lifetime dedicated to public service and charity. This marked her first major public engagement since postponing Las Vegas concerts due to health challenges, a fact that made her presence all the more meaningful.
Presented by her longtime friend and “9 to 5” costar Lily Tomlin, the award celebrated Parton’s decades of work lifting others up. In her acceptance video, she reflected on her upbringing in East Tennessee and the lessons she learned about generosity: “My momma and daddy showed me that the more you give, the more blessings come your way, and I’ve been blessed more than I ever dreamed possible,” she said. Her remarks, simple yet profound, resonated with viewers and attendees alike. Academy President Janet Yang summed it up: “Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts.” (Remind Magazine, WHNT)
Health Challenges and Personal Loss: A Difficult Year
Parton’s appearance came just two months after she postponed a highly anticipated six-show residency at Las Vegas’ Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Fan concern grew in September when Parton announced that “health challenges” would require her to slow down and receive treatment. In a candid Instagram post, she reassured fans: “I am not going to be able to put together the show I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.” Yet she was adamant she wasn’t retiring: “God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.”
The health issues included a troublesome kidney stone and infections, which forced her to cancel public appearances and remain close to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for ongoing treatments. In an October video titled “I ain’t dead yet!”, Parton addressed rumors about her condition with characteristic wit: “Do I look sick to you?” she asked, smiling. She explained that after caring for her husband Carl Dean, who was gravely ill for a long time and passed away in March 2025 at age 82, she neglected her own health. “When I got around to it, the doctor said, ‘we need to take care of this, we need to take care of that,’ nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things, so I could be closer to home.”
The loss of Carl Dean, her partner of nearly six decades, cast a shadow over the year. The cause of his death has not been released, but Parton’s openness about grief and self-care struck a chord with fans. She credited her resilience to the support of her family and her faith, telling People magazine: “I want you to know that I’m okay. I’m not dying.”
Celebrating Charity: The Imagination Library and Beyond
Parton’s philanthropic impact is perhaps best exemplified by the Imagination Library, her literacy nonprofit that sends free books to children aged five and under. In August 2024, she performed in Kansas City to celebrate Missouri’s $11 million investment in the program, a testament to its national influence. Beyond literacy, her charitable giving includes donations like $1 million for disaster victims and ongoing support for medical research.
Her philosophy, shaped by her East Tennessee roots, remains simple but powerful: “Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be here for?” she asked during her Oscar acceptance. “So from my heart to yours, I truly thank you.” That ethos has earned her widespread respect, not just as a performer, but as a humanitarian whose work bridges music, community, and hope.
What’s Next: Memoir, Musical, and More
Even as she navigates personal loss and health setbacks, Dolly Parton shows no signs of slowing down. She recently released a memoir, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, offering fans an intimate look at her life and legacy. Her Las Vegas residency has been rescheduled for September 2026, when she’ll turn 80, a milestone she greets with characteristic optimism. “People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what? Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started,” she told People. “I ain’t got time to get old!”
Adding to her creative legacy, a Broadway musical based on her life, Dolly: A True Original Musical, is set to premiere in 2026. Parton’s career, marked by chart-topping records, memorable film roles, and tireless charity work, continues to evolve. She’s previously been nominated for Oscars for her original songs in “Nine to Five” and “Travelin’ Thru”, but this humanitarian recognition marks a new chapter—one defined not by glittering costumes or sold-out concerts, but by compassion and service.
Dolly Parton’s story in 2025 is a testament to resilience: facing loss, health struggles, and public scrutiny, she remains rooted in hope and generosity. Her humanitarian Oscar isn’t just an award—it’s a reflection of a life devoted to lifting others up. In a world hungry for role models who embody both authenticity and kindness, Parton’s enduring spirit continues to inspire across generations.