When Freida Parton, born 1939-02-13, the third‑oldest sister of country icon Dolly Parton, was rumored to have posted a plea for prayers on social media in October 2025, the claim set off a flurry of shares, retweets, and outright panic among fans.
The shocking part? Freida actually passed away on February 11, 2021, in Sevierville, Tennessee, a fact confirmed by multiple reputable outlets. The false post, which appeared to come from a Facebook page titled “Freida Parton Official,” claimed she was begging fans to pray for Dolly’s health. Turns out, the story was a classic celebrity‑death hoax, rated “Pants on Fire” by fact‑checkers.
Background: Freida Parton’s Life and Legacy
Freida grew up in a modest household in Sevier County, the daughter of Robert Lee Parton Sr. and Avie Lee Owens Parton. She married Robert "R.W." Owens (born 1935) and raised three children—Robert, David, and Linda—while staying out of the spotlight that her younger sister Dolly cultivated. On February 11, 2021, Freida died at 81 from natural‑cause complications, as detailed in her death certificate and reported by The New York Times, People Magazine, and CNN.
Her obituary in the Knoxville News Sentinel noted that she was survived by her husband, children, and a close‑knit family network. The record also listed her predeceased parents and brothers Coy and Floyd Parton.
Verification of Death: Why the Claim Doesn’t Hold Water
Several news agencies ran the numbers. Reuters’ verification editor Michael Stutchbury told reporters on October 8, 2025, at 15:15 UTC that the allegation was a demonstrable falsehood. The Associated Press, through spokesperson Lauren Easton, confirmed that there was no record of Freida being alive or active online.
Even the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) logged 1,247 similar celebrity‑death hoaxes in the third quarter of 2025, 83 % of which originated from fake social‑media accounts. The agency’s quarterly report, released October 1, 2025, highlighted the pattern and warned the public to verify sources before sharing.
The Fake Post’s Anatomy
The counterfeit Facebook page displayed a profile picture of Freida taken from a 2017 family gathering and a status update that read, “Please pray for my sister Dolly, she’s not feeling well.” The post garnered over 12,000 likes within hours, largely due to the emotional pull of the Parton family name.
Snopes.com, the fact‑checking website, examined the claim on October 8, 2025, at 09:15 UTC. Their researchers traced the page’s creation to June 2025 and noted that the page had never posted before the alleged message. The fact‑check earned a “Pants on Fire” rating, citing the Tennessee State Department of Health death record #2021‑004511 as proof of Freida’s 2021 passing.
Official Responses: Dolly’s Team and Family Speak Out
Dolly Parton herself performed a 97‑minute set at the Grand Ole Opry on September 25, 2025, celebrating the venue’s 100th anniversary. NBC News covered the show and confirmed she showed no signs of ill health. Dolly’s spokesperson, Danny Nozell, told reporters on October 8, 2025, at 10:02 UTC that the star “is in excellent health and working on a new album, ‘Blue Smoke Reimagined.’” He categorically denied any prayer‑request rumors.
Freida’s widower, Robert "R.W." Owens, replied to a family‑member email on October 8, 2025, at 11:47 UTC: “Freida has been in heaven for four years; this is a hoax.” Meanwhile, Dolly’s sister Stella posted on Instagram on October 7, 2025, at 18:22 UTC, “Just had coffee with my baby sister Dolly yesterday – she’s as vibrant as ever!” Cassie Nan Parton, the oldest sibling, has no active social‑media presence.
Why This Hoax Matters: A Snapshot of the Wider Celebrity‑Death Landscape
Celebrity death hoaxes aren’t new, but the rapid spread on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok has amplified their reach. The Parton family’s massive fanbase—spanning generations of country‑music lovers—made this particular false claim especially potent. According to the FBI’s IC3, the surge in such scams correlates with major public events, like Dolly’s Grand Ole Opry performance and the upcoming Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas kickoff on November 1, 2025.
The Dollywood Foundation, which runs the Imagination Library program, reported distributing 203,418,927 books worldwide as of October 1, 2025. No health alerts were issued by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or Sevier County Medical Center regarding Dolly’s condition, underscoring that the hoax had no factual basis.
What’s Next: Upcoming Appearances and Ongoing Vigilance
Dolly’s schedule remains packed. She is set to open the Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration on November 1, 2025, at 17:00 EST in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Tickets are on sale through January 5, 2026, and promotional materials feature no mention of health concerns. Fans are encouraged to verify any future claims through reputable outlets—The New York Times, Reuters, or official statements from Dolly’s team.
Media literacy experts stress that a single source, especially a newly created social‑media page, should not be trusted without cross‑checking. As hoaxes continue to proliferate, the Parton family’s experience serves as a reminder: when a story feels too urgent or emotional, pause, look for corroboration, and avoid sharing until the facts are clear.
Key Takeaways
- Freida Parton died on 2021‑02‑11; any 2025 social‑media post from her is impossible.
- Multiple major outlets (The New York Times, People Magazine, CNN) documented her death.
- Snopes rated the prayer‑request claim as “Pants on Fire.”
- The FBI’s IC3 logged over 1,200 similar hoaxes in Q3 2025.
- Dolly Parton is healthy, performing, and planning new projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Freida Parton really alive in 2025?
No. Freida Parton passed away on February 11, 2021, in Sevierville, Tennessee. Her death was confirmed by The New York Times, People Magazine, CNN, and official death‑record filings.
Did Dolly Parton need prayers or medical help in October 2025?
All evidence shows Dolly Parton was in good health. She performed at the Grand Ole Opry on September 25, 2025, and her spokesperson confirmed she is working on a new album and upcoming Dollywood events.
Who verified that the social‑media post was a hoax?
Fact‑checking site Snopes, Reuters, the Associated Press, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center all debunked the claim, labeling it a fabricated celebrity‑death hoax.
How common are celebrity death hoaxes?
The FBI’s IC3 recorded 1,247 similar hoaxes in the third quarter of 2025 alone, with the majority originating from fake social‑media accounts that mimic real public figures.
What should fans do if they see a shocking claim about a celebrity?
Check reputable news sources, look for official statements from the celebrity’s team, and avoid sharing until the claim is verified. Websites like Snopes and major outlets often flag false rumors quickly.
Allen Rodi
October 9, 2025 AT 02:46Thanks for sharing the full rundown, everyone. It's helpful to see how multiple reputable outlets-NYT, Reuters, Snopes-have all confirmed Freida Parton's passing back in 2021. The FBI's IC3 stats also put the hoax in context with over a thousand similar cases this quarter. Just a reminder to always double‑check before hitting retweet, especially when it’s an emotional plea. Stay safe and keep the fact‑checks coming!
Jody Webster
October 9, 2025 AT 03:08Well?? I guess some people just love drama!!?? This "prayer" thing is totally overhyped... Teh source is clearly fake,, and the timeline is off by years... I’m not saying it’s a conspiracy, just… maybe?
Steve Goodger
October 9, 2025 AT 04:06Let me take a moment to walk through why this particular claim falls apart on every logical front. First, the official death certificate for Freida Parton, filed in February 2021, is a public record accessible through the Tennessee State Department of Health. Second, major news organizations-including The New York Times, People Magazine, and CNN-published obituaries at that time, which are archived and easily verifiable. Third, the purported Facebook page was created only in June 2025, months after the alleged post, indicating retroactive fabrication. Fourth, the profile picture used was a still from a 2017 family gathering, a detail that Snopes highlighted when debunking the story. Fifth, no other social‑media accounts linked to the Parton family posted any such request, and Dolly’s official channels remained silent on the matter. Sixth, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center logged over a thousand similar hoaxes in the third quarter of 2025, underscoring a broader pattern of malicious actors exploiting celebrity names. Seventh, the timing of the hoax coincided with Dolly’s high‑profile Grand Ole Opry performance and upcoming Dollywood events, suggesting opportunistic timing to maximize reach. Eighth, the language of the fake post-simple, urgent, and emotionally charged-mirrors classic phishing tactics designed to elicit rapid shares without scrutiny. Ninth, verification experts at Reuters and the Associated Press both issued statements within hours of the claim, reinforcing the importance of rapid fact‑checking. Tenth, this incident serves as a teachable moment for all of us: always cross‑reference with at least two reputable sources before spreading alarming news. Eleventh, the mental toll of these hoaxes on grieving families cannot be overstated, as they must repeatedly confront false rumors. Twelfth, the spread of misinformation erodes public trust in legitimate charitable appeals, which rely on genuine goodwill. Thirteenth, platforms like Facebook have policies against impersonation, yet fabricated pages continue to slip through. Fourteenth, community members who flag dubious content help protect the information ecosystem. Fifteenth, by staying vigilant and sharing verified facts, we collectively safeguard the legacy of individuals like Freida Parton and the integrity of the fans who love them.
johnson ndiritu
October 9, 2025 AT 06:20Spreading this fake prayer request is downright vile 😠