Dolly Parton Kept Cancer Battle Private To Protect Fan Positivity, Cousin Says

Dolly Parton Kept Cancer Battle Private To Protect Fan Positivity, Cousin Says

Dolly Parton deliberately kept her cancer diagnosis private, even from close family members, according to her first cousin Richie Owens. “She always kept things private because she always wanted to keep everybody being positive around her,” Owens told Today. “Just, ‘Don’t worry about me, I’m going to be fine.'” Owens, who co-wrote songs with Parton and produced two of her albums, said her burial beside late husband Carl Dean on August 28th was intentionally small and quiet. Parton also requested mourners skip flowers and instead donate to her Imagination Library charity. Her sister Stella described Parton’s public persona as “exactly who she was,” urging fans to “show more kindness” and “lift others up” to honor her legacy. Story URL