In addition to her tremendous country music career, Dolly Parton was known for her big heart. According to her sister, Stella Parton, Dolly’s desire to help others extended into her final days battling cancer.
In a message posted to social media, Stella Parton wrote of Dolly, “My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known. What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.”
The tribute continued, “My sister was always thinking of others, and if you want to honor her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up, and give more of your time and resources, as she continued to do to the very end.”
Dolly Parton died of cancer on Aug. 25 at age 80. Her health struggles began to make headlines in the fall of 2025, when she announced that she would no longer be able to perform at a Las Vegas residency in December 2025 due to “some health challenges.”
The queen of country music’s death had a profound impact on people across the country and around the world, with tributes pouring in from Taylor Swift, her goddaughter Miley Cyrus and even Donald Trump.
“My big sister Dolly got her wings this past Tuesday. If anyone gets to heaven I’m sure she made it right on time. I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine. That was my sister’s way,” Stella Parton, a country singer-songwriter in her own right, also wrote. “Every Tuesday about this time, before the sun came up and the world was still asleep, she and I, for many years, had our coffee together over the phone. Being little farm girls, we’ve continued to be early risers. As she liked to say, ‘shoot Tedda, we get more work done before the sun comes up than most folks do all day long!’ We would catch up on gossip, as sisters do, and drink coffee and make plans, as it has always been our way.”