Dolly Parton's sister Stella has revealed that the country music legend kept her cancer diagnosis secret from many of her relatives, explaining that Parton did not want to burden those close to her with her health struggles.
Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80 following a period of mysterious health issues that had led her to cancel several public appearances. It was later disclosed that she had been privately battling cancer, though the specific type of cancer was not revealed.
Stella Parton, 77, spoke about her sister's decision to maintain privacy regarding her health to Gayle King on CBS Mornings. "Dolly did not want anybody to tell her public because Dolly could not bear negative things and she would not have wanted her fans worried about it," Stella explained. She added that Parton also "didn't want a lot of family worried about it," noting that only those closest to her were aware, not every relative.
Stella insisted that her sister's intention was to avoid causing sadness or worry. "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 said.
Parton's family, along with those of her late husband Carl Dean and her close friend and assistant Judy Ogle, were the people Parton would have wanted to know they were cared for and loved, according to Stella.
Parton passed away four days after being admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, as reported by TMZ. Family members rushed to Nashville upon hearing of her hospitalization, though not all were able to reach her before her death.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security, confirmed Parton's death in an Instagram video. Seaver shared that the video announcement was something Parton had requested years prior. He described his aunt as someone who "lived in the light" and is now in "the arms of Jesus."
Three days after her death, an intimate group of loved ones, including Seaver, gathered at her burial site at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville. Seaver had previously disclosed that Parton would be interred in high heels in the same mausoleum as her husband. Her niece later confirmed that the singer had been laid to rest.
Seaver also relayed Parton's wish to "rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest."
Carl Dean, Parton's husband of over five decades, died in March 2025 at the age of 82. Parton's career spanned six decades, with hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5."
Born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946, Parton was the fourth of 12 children. In an interview shortly before her death, she expressed a desire to achieve many more things and continue working as long as she could.
In late September 2025, Parton postponed her Las Vegas residency due to unspecified "health challenges" requiring several procedures. Concerns for her well-being grew in early October 2025 when her sister Freida asked fans to pray for her, though Freida later clarified that her sister was only "a little under the weather."
Parton herself addressed fan concerns by posting a video from a Grand Ole Opry ad shoot, asking, "Do I look sick to you?" and assuring fans that she was okay, while appreciating their prayers.