'All is good': Dolly Parton makes first appearance since health fears

Dolly Parton has given fans a long-awaited update months after disappearing due to heath concerns raised by her sister.

During the country singer's keynote speech at her theme park Dollywood's opening day, she detailed her journey through grief, and the health issues that came along with it.

The star lost her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, in March last year, before postponing her planned Las Vegas residency due to treatment for kidney stones.

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"I've not been touring, as you know," Parton said, in footage of the speech shared by WVLT 8. "I've had a few little health issues, and we're taking good care of them."

"I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on.

"I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn't slow me down."

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Parton said she is "not dating anyone" since Dean's death.

"I think Carl Dean's waiting for me," she said.

"If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that. He'd be saying, 'Who's that little pisser? You leave him outside the gates.'"

The appearance comes as a relief to fans, after concerns regarding the state of her health were raised by Dolly's sister, Freida Parton, late last year.

Freida originally shared a public Facebook post that said she was "up all night praying for [her] sister."

"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," the post said.

Dolly later released a video statement reassuring fans, saying her postponed Vegas residency would be going ahead in September this year.

Dolly's address came as the Tennessee theme park launched its 41st season since it opened in 1986.

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