Dolly Parton kept much of what was happening with her health out of the public eye before her death. Now her niece Jada Star is shedding some light on why.
One week after the country music legend died at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer, Star spoke to Extra about her family’s loss and the privacy surrounding Parton’s health struggles.
“You know, we kind of kept all that stuff real private and so she never wanted to worry anybody,” Star said when asked whether Parton’s second hospitalization had come as a shock. “So I think it was just a shock on Tuesday.”
Parton’s cancer diagnosis was not publicly revealed before her death on August 25, and her representatives only confirmed afterward that she had faced a “brief battle with cancer.” The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed.
While Parton had acknowledged experiencing health problems, she remained upbeat. In May, she revealed that her immune and digestive systems had gotten “all out of whack” over the previous three years. She was later hospitalized and acknowledged that she had neglected some of her own health while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, before his March 2025 death.
READ MORE: Eminem Shares Emotional Dolly Parton Tribute — and Reveals Her Unexpected Message That Had a Lasting Impact on Him
Even as her health declined, Parton remained focused on her work—something Star believes her aunt would expect the family to do now, too. “She would also tell us to start drying it up and start trying to get back to work and love each other real hard,” Star said, becoming emotional.
Star, who is also a singer-songwriter herself, reflected on the advice Parton gave her throughout her life, including one question that stuck with her: “Why are you worried about what other people think?”
Star said she relied on those words while recently participating in a Grand Ole Opry tribute to her aunt and plans to carry Parton’s influence into her own writing and teaching.
When asked what she would tell Parton if she had one more opportunity, Star again became emotional. “I think I would just say thank you so much. And I love you so much,” she said. “And I know you’re OK.”
Related: Jane Fonda Fights Back Tears While Revealing the Important Lesson Dolly Parton Taught Her
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