Dolly Parton’s Niece Explains Why Country Legend Wanted to Keep Cancer Diagnosis Secret: ‘She Never Wanted to Worry Anybody’
Parton died at age 80 last Tuesday (Aug. 25) following what her spokesperson said was a brief battle with an undisclosed cancer.
Jada Star, niece of country music legend Dolly Parton, has shared her perspective on her aunt's decision to keep her cancer diagnosis private until her passing last week at the age of 80. Star, a 47-year-old singer, expressed the overwhelming grief felt by the family, while also acknowledging the uplifting impact of the world's tributes and admiration for Parton.
She revealed that Dolly had kept her illness private to avoid worrying anyone, stating, "She never wanted to worry anybody. So I think it was just a shock on Tuesday." Star, who performed her aunt's song "The Orchard" at a tribute at the Grand Ole Opry, reflected on how Dolly would have wanted the family to continue after her passing, saying, "I can't remember a life without her in it.
She would also tell us to start drying it [tears] up and start trying to get back to work and love each other real hard."
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