Dolly Parton didn’t want to ‘worry’ fans by revealing cancer battle, says niece

EntertainmentLifestyle
3 Sep 2026 • 11:16 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Dolly Parton didn’t want to ‘worry’ fans by revealing cancer battle, says niece

  • Dolly Parton's niece, Jada Star, revealed that the family deliberately kept the late country star's cancer diagnosis private prior to her death at age 80 to avoid causing concern for her fans.
  • The Queen of Country passed away on 25 August at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre surrounded by loved ones following a brief battle with cancer, as confirmed by her publicist.
  • In her final interview shortly before her death, Parton explained that she had neglected her own health issues while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025.
  • Parton's sister, Stella, disclosed that the iconic singer offered to allow her medical team to test experimental cancer drugs during her final days in the hope of helping future patients.
  • To honour her aunt's legacy, Jada Star performed their duet, The Orchard, at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, describing the public tributes as a great comfort to the grieving family.
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