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Dolly Parton defies age, health challenges despite turning 80

'I feel like I'm just getting started,’ Dolly Parton says as she hit 80

Ibtisam Fatima

3 weeks ago

Dolly Parton defies age, health challenges despite turning 80

'I feel like I'm just getting started,’ Dolly Parton says as she hit 80

Dolly Parton is unstoppable even as she hits 80.

The country music icon celebrated her 80th birthday on Monday, January 19. The Grammy winner told People she still feels energized and motivated, brushing off concerns over turning eight decades old.

“People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what? Look at all I’ve done in 80 years,” Parton said. “I feel like I’m just getting started.”

While she acknowledges that health ultimately sets the limits, Parton reassured fans that she is doing well.

“Unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine,” she added.

Earlier this month, she sparked renewed worry when she announced she would skip the Grand Ole Opry’s 80th birthday concert.

Rumours swirled after her sister, Freida, requested public prayers in October over an undisclosed illness. Parton quickly eased concerns, posting a spirited video from an ad shoot, joking: “I ain’t dead yet!”

Her recent medical challenges also led to postponements of her Las Vegas residency and withdrawal from several public events late last year, yet Parton’s determination shows no signs of waning.