Dolly Parton’s Sister Explains Why She Kept Cancer Diagnosis Secret From Much of Family

Dolly Parton kept her cancer diagnosis private from much of her extended family before her death last month, and according to her sister Stella, the decision came down to one thing: she didn’t want the people around her worrying. Speaking with Gayle King for her first interview since Dolly’s death, Stella Parton said only a small circle of relatives knew the country legend was sick. “Some of us knew, the ones of us that were closer,” she told CBS Mornings. Dolly died in Nashville on August 25th at age 80 following what her team described as a brief battle with cancer. Her family has not disclosed what type of cancer she had. Stella said the secrecy extended to fans as well. “She did not want people sad,” she explained, adding that Dolly had little tolerance for dwelling on the negative and would not have wanted her illness to make those who loved her anxious or sad. That instinct was true even as Dolly faced her own mortality. Shortly after her death, Stella revealed that her sister had told her she would be willing to try experimental treatments even if doctors believed there was no hope for recovery, provided doing so might help future cancer patients. As Consequence previously reported, Stella described the gesture as another example of Dolly thinking about others until the end. Dolly’s diagnosis was largely unknown outside that inner circle despite mounting concern about her health over the final year of her life. She had canceled or postponed several public appearances and performances while dealing with health issues, though she continued working on a wide range of projects almost until the very end. Her representatives later revealed that she had left behind a roadmap of music, film, television, and other projects intended to continue for years to come. The public response Stella says Dolly hoped would comfort her family has certainly arrived. “She’d be really happy and delighted that people have shown her so much love,” Stella said. Tributes poured in from across music and beyond following her death, while listeners returned to her catalog in extraordinary numbers. In fact, Parton became the most-streamed artist in the world on August 26th, just one day after her death. More of Stella Parton’s interview with Gayle King is set to air Thursday, September 10th, on CBS Mornings. Watch what she’s shared so far below. Read More: Dolly Parton Tributes Pour In: “A True Gift to Humanity and the Very Best of Us” Where to Stream Dolly Parton’s Biggest Movie and TV Roles How Dolly Parton Made the World Better Through Charity