Dolly Parton’s sister reveals she hid cancer from ‘a lot of family’

| Live News reporter Published September 9, 2026 10:52pm Updated September 9, 2026 10:55pm Dolly Parton’s sister, Stella, has shed light on the singer’s health battle before her death (Picture: Getty) Dolly Parton’s sister has revealed that she kept her cancer diagnosis a secret from much of her family as she did not want them to worry. The country music icon died aged 80 on August 25 after a private battle with cancer, with the news coming as a shock to her many fans. Earlier this month, Dolly’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star was vandalised just days after the singer’s death. Now, however, the musician’s sister, Stella Parton, 77, has opened up about why Dolly kept her illness largely private. Speaking to Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Stella said: ‘She did not want anybody to tell. ‘Dolly could not bear negative things and she would not have wanted her fans worried about it.’ Stella said that Dolly ‘could not bear negative things’ (Picture: JB Lacroix/WireImage) Stella also added that Dolly ‘didn’t want a lot of family worried about it’. ‘Some of us knew, the ones of us that were closer,’ Stella explained. ‘But not every relative,’ she continued. ‘Dolly did not want people sad and she did not want people worried. ‘She’d be really happy and delighted that people have shown her so much love because she knew that that would make us feel better as her family.’ This comes after Stella made an emotional plea for compassion after revealing her family faced ‘incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers’ in the wake of Dolly’s death. In a lengthy statement shared on Instagram, she hit out at the flood of AI-generated content and misinformation surrounding her sister’s death. Country music legend Dolly died aged 80 on August 25 (Picture: Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock) Dolly’s niece, Jada Star, also said that the singer ‘never wanted to worry anybody’ (Picture: Reuters) ‘First let me say, thank you to the ones of you who have shown “genuine” support and love during this time of our family bereavement,’ Stella began. ‘Sadly, because of the way our lives have been lived in front of the public, we have no choice but to be subjected to incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers,’ she continued. She particularly criticised the ‘tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage’ that has appeared online since Dolly’s death, describing it as ‘challenging to absorb and or ignore’. Commenting on Dolly’s decision to keep her cancer battle private, Dolly’s niece, Jada Star, also said that she ‘never wanted to worry anybody’. Speaking exclusively to Extra in a video interview, Jada said: ‘You know, we kind of kept all that stuff real private. ‘It’s been very difficult and really surreal. I think we all share that feeling.’ Deals of the Day Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 Arrow MORE: Dolly Parton’s niece reveals sweet reason singer kept cancer battle private Arrow MORE: Dollyfest festivals to celebrate life of Dolly Parton in London and Nashville Arrow MORE: Dolly Parton on course for ‘huge’ milestone days after death Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.