Dolly Parton chose to keep her cancer diagnosis confidential to protect those around her from worry, according to her first cousin Richie Owens. In an interview with Today, Owens explained that the country music icon prioritized maintaining a positive environment and preferred that people focus on uplifting messages rather than her health struggles. “She always wanted to keep everybody being positive around her and put that out there in the world,” Owens stated, adding that Parton’s approach was simply to reassure loved ones not to be concerned about her condition.
Owens revealed that Parton kept details of her diagnosis private even from family members, despite publicly acknowledging that she faced health challenges. The musician, who collaborated with Parton on songwriting and produced two of her albums in the late 1990s, noted that the full scope of her medical situation remained largely unknown to those close to her.
The singer’s preference for privacy extended to her final arrangements following her death on August 28. Parton was laid to rest beside her late husband Carl Dean in a small, quiet ceremony attended only by a few family members. Owens emphasized that this intimate gathering reflected her wishes and was not indicative of anything troubling. Instead of receiving flowers as condolences, Parton hoped mourners would donate to her Imagination Library charity, demonstrating her continued commitment to helping others.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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