Dolly Parton’s Sister Reveals Late Country Icon Last Request, Reason Why She Thinks Singer Got Sick: ‘She Was Definitely Prepared’
Stella Parton sat down with Gayle King to talk about Dolly's final days and her legacy.
During an interview with CBS Mornings’ Gayle King, Dolly Parton’s sister Stella revealed the late country icon’s final request before her death at 80 on August 25. Stella said her sister’s last wish was to keep her in her prayers. The incident unfolded after singer/songwriter Stella faced backlash in October 2024 for urging prayers for her other sister Freida, who had raised alarms among Dolly’s fans earlier in the year.
Stella explained that Dolly had addressed the situation, telling Freida to “pipe it down,” suggesting that the sisters had a private conversation about it. While the official statement about Parton’s death mentioned a brief battle with cancer, Stella declined to share any specifics, stating that it was Dolly’s decision not to disclose more information.
She further emphasized that Dolly’s husband, Carl Dean, had been supportive of her career but preferred their personal life to remain private. Stella also dismissed theories suggesting Dolly’s quick demise after Dean’s passing might be attributed to death-by-heartbreak, claiming that the singer had worked too hard and neglected her health.
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