HEARTBREAKING NEWS: After participating in flood relief efforts in Texas, Dolly Parton, due to her age, couldn’t withstand the strong winds. She fell ill, running a high fever and continuously complaining of stomach pain, after that…

Dolly Parton Opens Up About Health Struggles, Weight Gain, and Mental Health Battle

Music icon Dolly Parton has captivated fans for more than five decades, but behind the glitz, glamour, and global success lies a deeply personal struggle with health and mental wellbeing.

Now 78, the “Queen of Country” recently reflected on a particularly dark chapter in her life — one marked by debilitating health issues, emotional turmoil, and a 50-pound weight gain that she says was rooted in depression and binge eating.

In the early 1980s, Parton began experiencing intense abdominal pain, which she ignored as she continued touring. The decision took a toll on her body. In 1984, she collapsed on stage in Indianapolis due to internal bleeding and was later diagnosed with endometriosis — a painful condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus.

The condition ultimately led to a partial hysterectomy at age 36, ending her ability to conceive children. The surgery triggered a deep emotional and psychological crisis.

“It was an awful time for me,” Parton confessed in her 2017 biography Dolly on Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton. “Every day I thought, ‘I wish I had the nerve to kill myself.’”Isolated and grieving the loss of motherhood, the singer sank into a depression that saw her binge eating, gaining 50 pounds, and consuming fast food in excess. “I would eat three pizzas and still crave McDonald’s and french fries,” she recalled.

Parton also admitted to turning to alcohol and losing control of her health during this period. “Underneath, I was a pile of personal and emotional problems. I fell apart,” she once said. “It was stomach problems and female problems — all over health problems, actually.”

Despite her immense professional success — with over 100 million records sold and 25 number-one hits on the Billboard Country chart — Parton’s personal battles remained largely hidden from the public for years.Yet, through faith, resilience, and the support of those closest to her, Dolly pulled herself out of the darkness. She credits her strong Christian beliefs and her decision to take control of her health and career for her recovery.

Today, she is not only an enduring musical legend but also a voice for mental health awareness, proving that even icons face battles behind the spotlight.