Freida Parton shares an emotional message asking fans to lift her sister Dolly Parton in prayer during a health battle, plus more on their relationship

Fans are lighting candles and praying for Dolly Parton.
(KAITO NAGAURA via Getty Images)

Music icon Dolly Parton recently announced she was postponing her Las Vegas concerts because of health concerns. Then, on Tuesday, October 7, her sister Freida McFadden asked for fans to pray for Dolly.

Freida McFadden posted about Dolly on her Facebook page, stating, “Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately.”

She continued, “I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me. She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

Freida ended her post with a heart emoji.

 

This follows the September 28 Instagram announcement from Dolly Parton that she would have to postpone her tour. She explained to fans that she is having “health challenges”, and stated, “My doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.”

In true Dolly style, she joked about her situation and how she wasn’t going to the doctor for plastic surgery this time.

Dolly Parton went on to assure fans that she’ll be able to work from Nashville but cannot prepare for a tour in the way she wants right now. Perhaps anticipating that fans may panic and worry that she is going to retire, she added, “And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t say anything about me stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.”

She concluded her statement, “I love you and thank you for understanding.”

Freida and Dolly Parton have worked together a lot over the years. Like her famous sister Dolly, Freida is a very talented singer-songwriter who is rooted in Smoky Mountain traditions. Her first album was a rock record called Two-Faced that was released in 1984. She later went on to release country records. Freida and Dolly have collaborated on music many times over the years, and Dolly has publicly and privately supported Freida’s career in music.

Dolly Parton’s Vegas residency called Dolly: Live in Las Vegas at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace has been postponed. It was originally planned for December 2025, but it was rescheduled for September 17, 2026 to September 26, 2026.

After posting about her health struggles, Dolly has kept up fun posts on her page. Dolly Parton’s Instagram page showed a photo of the singer having some harvest time fun for fall just days after she announced her health issues.

Dolly Parton has not publicly explained what her health issues are, but she has spoken often about her faith. According to TODAY, Parton has recently said that she believes in God and talks to God. So, it seems fitting that Freida asks her fans who love Dolly to pray for her during her health challenges.