Dolly Parton's Sister Explains Why She Kept Her Cancer Diagnosis Private
Dolly Parton died on August 25, with her cause of death revealed days later as a "brief battle with cancer." Her sister Stella Parton has now given her first interview since the death, telling host Gayle King why Dolly chose to keep her illness private. According to NME, only a small circle knew the full extent of Dolly's health: "Some of us knew, the ones closer to her," Stella said.
Why Dolly stayed quiet
Dolly had previously told fans she had "some health things she wasn't attending to," at a time when she was caring for her late husband Carl Dean. The public did not know she had already been diagnosed with cancer. Stella said her sister deliberately withheld the details.
"She didn't want people to be sad," Stella said, adding that Dolly would have been moved by the outpouring of concern because it comforted the family. Stella said what mattered most to Dolly was that her family, Carl's family, and Judy's family knew that "everything I did, they cared, and they really loved me."
A private funeral and a new festival
The family had already confirmed the funeral was held privately. Dolly was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, where country artists Porter Wagoner, George Jones, and Tammy Wynette are also buried; her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, was interred there last year. Her niece Lainey said the service took place on the 28th, recalling that "since I was really little, my grandma had a way of making me feel like I was enough," saying Dolly believed in her before she learned to believe in herself.
Dolly's estate has also confirmed a first-ever DollyFest, a two-day event spanning Nashville and London. Originally planned for January of this year, it was postponed due to her health and will now serve as a replacement for a traditional public memorial, celebrating her career. The estate described it as "the one-time party she wanted to share with the world."
Tributes around the world
- Kacey Musgraves performed "Here You Come Again" in Boston
- Maisie Peters covered the same song at Reading Festival
- Jack White performed "Jolene" at a London show
- Orville Peck performed "I Will Always Love You"
- Olivia Rodrigo dedicated her duet with Sarah McLachlan to Dolly at Daisy Chain Fields