Dolly Parton to Receive Oscar at Home Due to Health Concerns

Dolly Parton to Receive Oscar at Home Due to Health Concerns

The legendary country music icon, Dolly Parton, will not be attending an upcoming awards ceremony in person due to health-related issues. Instead, the prestigious Oscar award will be delivered to her, allowing her to receive it in the comfort of her home.

Earlier in the week, the beloved "9 to 5" singer, who is 79 years old, shared with her fans that she would have to postpone her scheduled performances in Las Vegas due to "health challenges." In a detailed statement released on Sunday, September 28, the renowned LGBTQ+ ally confirmed that she needed to undergo "a few procedures" and explained that this unfortunately means she won't be ready in time for the show's original opening date of December 4. The performances have now been rescheduled to take place in September 2026.

According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter on September 30, it was further revealed that Dolly Parton will not be attending the annual Governors Awards in Los Angeles this November. At this prestigious event, the iconic "Jolene" singer is set to be honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award - an honorary Oscar recognizing her significant contributions to humanitarian causes.

This award marks a momentous occasion for Parton, as it will be her first Oscar. Parton was first nominated for an Academy Award in 1981 for the best original song with the theme tune to 9 to 5. She received a second nomination in 2006 for writing the song "Travelin' Thru" for the film Transamerica, which is centered around the journey of a transgender woman, portrayed by Felicity Huffman, on a road trip to reconnect with her son.

In June, Dolly Parton's name was announced as a recipient of the Humanitarian Award, alongside other significant figures such as Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen, and Wynn Thomas. These special awards recognize individuals "for extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or outstanding service to the academy." Janet Yang, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, praised Parton for her "unwavering dedication to charitable efforts," noting that she truly exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Apart from her contributions to music and entertainment, Parton established the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, which is dedicated to promoting educational initiatives in East Tennessee. She has also been a longstanding ally of the LGBTQ+ community, consistently supporting their rights and wellbeing. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Parton generously donated $1 million to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a donation that played a crucial role in the development of the Moderna vaccine.

Although she won't be attending the ceremony in person, Parton reassured her fans in her Sunday statement that she is not "quitting the business," stating, "God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet." She emphasized her desire to always give her best performances, saying "You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you. While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say."

Earlier this year in March, Parton faced another personal challenge with the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, who had been her life partner for nearly 60 years. Dean had been "ill for quite a while," making his passing particularly poignant for the singer.

Dolly Parton's resilience and dedication to both her craft and humanitarian efforts continue to inspire many. As fans and supporters, we send her our best wishes for a swift recovery and look forward to seeing her grace the stage once again.

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