See Dolly Parton's Last Public Appearance 2 Months Before Her Death

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What Dolly Parton Said About Her Health Battle Before Death

Dolly Parton was working 9 to 5 until the very end.

In the months before the country music legend died at the age of 80, she was still adding to the long list of varied accomplishments she had achieved throughout her nearly six-decade career.

In June, the 11-time Grammy winner made what would be her last in-person public appearance to attend the grand opening of her Tennessean Travel Stop truck stop.

“Well, how’s everybody doin’ today out in that hot, boilin’ sun?” she told the crowd from stage at the event, per People. “Anyway, I wanted to welcome all of you and say thank you for coming. We’re very excited about our truck stop, the Tennesseean Travel Stop.”

More recently, though, Parton accepted the Academy of Country Music Honors’ AMC Poet’s Award with a heartfelt video.

“Songwriting has been my therapy,” she told the audience during the Aug. 19 event in Nashville in her video. “Songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God that has allowed me to touch people with words and music. So, thank you, God, and thank you, fans around the world, and everyone at ACMs for giving me this very special award.”

Since postponing her Las Vegas residency in September—months after the death of her husband Carl Dean—Parton had stepped back from the spotlight to focus on undisclosed health issues. Indeed, she opted to virtually accept her honorary Oscar in November and missed out on her 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in January.

The “Jolene” singer did, however, visit her Dollywood theme park in March to launch its 41st season and gave fans an update on her health.

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"I've been not touring, as you know,” she said from stage at the event. “I've had a few little health issues, and we're taking good care of them.”

The “Coat of Many Colors” singer—whose last public appearance before that was 10 months prior—also alluded to the cause of her undisclosed health issues.

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“I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on," she continued. "I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally and physically.”

Still, Parton, with her signature optimism, put her fans’ fears to rest, adding, “All is good. It didn't slow me down."

For a look back at Parton’s life in pictures, keep reading…

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

1955

Nancy Barr Brandon/MediaPunch/Shutterstock

1960

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

1965

Nancy Barr Brandon/MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Late 1960s

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

1974