Dolly Parton was a believer to the end. The legendary singer passed away on August 25, 2026, after a “brief battle” with cancer. She was 80 years old. Parton was a devout believer in God, and her faith kept her strong in her final days. An exclusive source told PEOPLE about Parton’s boundless belief even with her declining health.
According to the source, the songstress’s faith remained just as unwavering in her last days as it was during her lifetime. Parton was raised in a religious environment, although her own views had become more universalist over the years.
Dolly Parton Did Not Accept It Was Over ‘Until God Says It’s Over’
Dolly Parton had a strong sense of faith throughout her life. In a 2020 PEOPLE interview, the “Jolene” singer was honest about how much faith was part of her daily process. She said that praying got her “through the hard times.” She also had God in mind whenever she would “laugh,” be “happy all over,” and live with her “feelings on [her] sleeve.”
The PEOPLE source said that it was “natural for people of faith to believe that God is in control.” According to them, Parton was adamant that she still had time despite whatever doctors might say. The singer had said as much just days before her passing, claiming she felt she had more to give.
“It doesn’t matter what doctors may say, people may say. It’s not over until God says it’s over,” the exclusive source said to PEOPLE, “I think she lived every day working and as long as God hadn’t called her home, she was here, and she had more work to do.”
In a 2025 PEOPLE cover story, Parton had said she “hears” from God. The musician said she would have a feeling from above whenever she had to make a decision. Parton said she would be guided toward a mission and would only “quit when God tells [her] to quit.”
Dolly Parton Had A Firm Belief In Her Own Faith
The PEOPLE source said that they believed Dolly Parton “thought as a Christian” and that she had “put life in [God’s] hands.” According to them, Parton did not have any fear of passing away as long as she felt God told her it was her time to go. The “9 to 5” star had always been candid about her beliefs, insisting she applied what best worked for her.
In a 2024 interview with New Humanist, Dolly Parton had said she didn’t think she was religious. She maintained it was about her personal belief. She reiterated that her faith came from a combination of an external force and self-belief, along with having a supportive family around her.
“We all need something to believe in, whether you believe in God or not, whether you call it Mother Nature or Father Time or a higher wisdom,” she told the outlet. “You need to believe in yourself and you need to believe there’s a force that can push you and lead you on. I was always guided by that.”
