Fans never saw Dolly Parton without a big wig, a pair of pumps and a bright smile. But her younger sister shared a small glimpse of what Dolly was like beyond the glitz and glam – including what she looked like without makeup.
Stella Parton sat down with "CBS Mornings"
anchor Gayle King for an exclusive interview that aired Sept. 10. Stella reflected on Dolly’s death, final days and enduring legacy.Dolly died Aug. 25 following a “brief battle of cancer” and chronic health issues. Though she underwent experimental treatment in hopes that it will help others, the family has chosen not to reveal the type of cancer Dolly had, out of respect.
“Well, that was her business,” Stella said. “I can talk about my love for her and describe who she is to me,
but it's not my business to tell her business.”
Here are some other key moments from Stella’s CBS Mornings interviewabout Dolly.
What was Dolly's final request?
“That's the last thing Dolly asked me for was prayer,” Stella said.
Dolly, who lived a very public life, opted to keep her cancer diagnosis private, even some family members didn’t know.
"She did not want people sad," Stella said. "Some of us knew, the ones of us that were closer. Dolly could not bear negative things. And she would not have wanted her fans worried about it."
Dolly also requested to have a private funeral. Only about 10 people attended, according to her niece Danielle Parton.
Preorder our new book "Dolly: A Life of Many Colors"
What did Stella know about Dolly's final days?
Stella said she read her sister’s emotions just by looking at her face. And she knew that when Dolly said “my little butterfly wings are getting kinda tired” in a video message for a Dollywood event that her sister was giving all that she had until the very last minute.
But she also knew Dolly was at peace. “She knew where she was going. She wasn't going anywhere bad. She was going to be with Momma and Daddy.”
Did Dolly die of a broken heart?
Dolly died a year and a half after her husband Carl Dean died in 2025. The couple had been married nearly 60 years. Some have speculated on whether a broken heart contributed to the decline in Dolly’s health.
“I think she was very sad, but I don't think that's why she got sick,” Stella said. “I think my sister worked so hard, for so long and just kept going. Even to the last conversation I had with her, she was working. That was her passion.”
Was Carl Dean supportive of Dolly’s career?
Dean was a private man who actively avoided the limelight and any public attention. But he loved Dolly.
“He adored her. He was fascinated with her. He thought she was funny like Tinkerbell,” Stella said.
She described Dolly and Dean’s relationship as a “sweet romance” very unique, deep and loyal. Dean would have preferred a more traditional marriage, according to Stella, but he understood his wife’s career.
“He was proud of her. And he loved her enough to let her be what she was,” she said.
Was Dolly upset with her sister Freida Parton?
In October 2025, Dolly and Stella’s younger sister Freida Parton asked the world to pray for Dolly in a message she posted on social. The post sparked major concern regarding Dolly’s health, prompting her to record an "I ain't dead, yet” video for her fans.
King asked Stella if Dolly was upset at Frieda for the post.
“I think Dolly got on Ferida about that,” Stella revealed, adding that it was a “touchy” time, but she didn’t talk much about the situation with her sisters.
“I didn't want to hurt Freida's feelings, and I didn't want to mention it to Dolly, but I'm pretty sure Dolly said, you know, ‘pipe it down,’" Stella said.
Knox News asked Freida earlier this month what it was like for her to publicly express concern for her sister while so many people were paying attention?
“I didn't give in to social media, and I didn't give in to any of that stuff,” Freida told Knox News. “Dolly was not just Dolly to me. She was my Dolly Momma.”
Did Stella ever see Dolly without makeup?
King was shocked when Stella revealed that she had never seen Dolly without makeup as an adult.
“No, not after she got to be ‘Dolly Parton,’” Stella said. “She would sleep in her makeup when she’d come spend the night with me.”
And that was OK with Stella. “I knew what she looked like. She looked like me without her makeup,” Stella said.
What were Dolly’s political beliefs?
Stella has always been outspoken on politics and social issues. Dolly, however, leaned more into love for all than partisan politics.
“She was smarter than me,” Stella said. “She's a good businesswoman.”
“She would never have offended anyone. She had an opinion about things, but she never shared any of that,” Stella added.
What does Stella want people to remember about Dolly?
Stella said she’ll miss Dolly’s optimism, and wants people to remember her sister as a talented, sweet, kind, loving and brilliant person whose creativity had no bounds.
“I want young people, young girls and boys that may think they have no opportunity, to dream,” Stella said. “Coming from our situation, she gave us permission to dream that way.”
And that’s why Dolly’s “Coat of Many Colors” was Stella and Dolly’s favorite song. It was about their humble upbringings and showed what was possible.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Stella Parton shares new details about her sister Dolly's final days
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