Dolly Parton spent decades sharing her music, humor, and generosity with the world, but when she faced her final health battle, she kept her inner circle remarkably small.
The country legend’s younger sister, Stella Parton, is now explaining why. Dolly, 80, died on Tuesday, August 25, following what her representatives described to People as a “brief battle with cancer.”
Stella, 77, told Gayle King on “CBS Mornings” on Wednesday, September 9, that even some members of their extended family did not know Dolly had cancer.
Why Did Dolly Parton Keep Her Cancer Diagnosis Private?
According to Stella, her sister did not want the diagnosis to become a source of fear for the people who loved her.
“Well, Dolly did not want anybody to tell that because Dolly could not bear negative things and she would not have wanted her fans worried about it,” Stella said. “She didn’t want a lot of the family worried about it. Some of us knew, the ones that were closer, but not every relative.”
Stella said Dolly’s decision reflected the way she approached much of her life. She wanted to protect others from unnecessary sadness.
How Would Dolly Parton Feel About the Outpouring of Love?
While Dolly did not want people worrying about her illness, Stella believes her sister would have appreciated the enormous response that followed her passing.
“She’d be really happy and delighted that people have shown her so much love because she knew that that would make us feel better as her family,” Stella told Gayle King.
Getty“Bottom line, end of the day, her family and Carl’s family and probably Judy’s family are the people that she would want to say, ‘See, everything I did, they cared. They really loved me,’ ” she added.
Stella was referring to Dolly’s late husband, Carl Dean, and longtime best friend, Judy Ogle.
What Did Stella Parton Reveal About Dolly’s Final Days?
Stella also shared that Dolly stayed focused on helping others even as her health declined.
“My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known,” Stella previously wrote on Instagram.
“What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.”
Stella said that spirit was central to who Dolly was.
How Was Dolly Parton’s Passing Announced?
Dolly’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced the news on social media on Tuesday, August 25.
In the video, Bryan said making the announcement was “something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.”
Dolly had been admitted to the hospital four days before her passing. For Stella, the privacy around that diagnosis wasn’t about shutting people out. It was one final way Dolly tried to shield the people she loved from worry.
What a sweetheart. Will miss her always. In a world with so much negativity, she was a bright light for us to hold on to.
If she had gone public with her cancer diagnosis, so many people would have prayed for her. I am one to believe the more prayers God hears the more he listens. Maybe we could have had Dolly for a few more years???
When we lost Dolly- I felt like part of me got taken too- She was such a special rpeson !
I have never been tore up over someone I didn’t know. I use to work Security at the Ryman and Opry House. I had been around her and saw the love she gave to everyone. It didn’t matter if you were the janitor or a big “star”, she treated everyone the same! Even typing this, I am crying. She was the ONE person you thought would live forever. Life just feels different now that she is gone. We will ALWAYS love you Dolly🦋♥️
My new motto – be a Dolly💜
Dolly’s final gift to her beloved family and fans would have been to announce that she had cancer and the type of cancer (breast/colon/lung, etc). She could have encouraged them to get screened. Early detection can greatly improve outcomes. There’s nothing “shameful” about being diagnosed with cancer but her secretary made it appear that way.