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Dolly Parton’s younger sister Stella Parton posted a moving tribute to the late country music icon, revealing that Dolly was willing to undergo experimental cancer treatments in the hope of helping others.
“My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known,” Stella wrote in a tribute shared on Facebook. “What the world saw is exactly who she was.”
Stella, one of Dolly’s 11 siblings, said her sister had recently told her that if there was no hope for her recovery she would still allow doctors to try experimental drugs that could potentially benefit future cancer patients.
“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,” Stella wrote. “My sister was always thinking of others.”
Dolly died aged 80 on Tuesday, shortly after a “brief battle” with cancer. She had been receiving treatment at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville following kidney and autoimmune issues and died surrounded by family.
Stella also reflected on her close relationship with her sister, revealing that they had a weekly coffee date over the phone every Tuesday morning “before the sun came up”.
“My Tuesday morning coffee time will never be the same but her love, respect and goodness will remain,” she said. “She left the world a better place by being in it so let’s follow her example.”
Other tributes to the Queen of Country
Since Dolly’s death, countless tributes have poured in from across music, film and politics.
Donald Trump ordered flags to be lowered at half mast to honour the artist, and wrote on Truth Social: “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM.”
However, his tribute was met with some backlash…
Elsewhere, former president Joe Biden described Parton as “an American original” and praised her work as an advocate for women and equality, as well as her charitable work providing books to children around the world.
Musicians including Paul McCartney, Céline Dion, Elton John, Eminem, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have also all paid tribute. McCartney called Parton “such a wonderful woman”, while Dion described her as “pure light, with a kind heart and a generous spirit”.
Sir Elton John said Parton was “a giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.” Beyoncé, who collaborated with Parton on her 2024 country-inspired album ‘Cowboy Carter’, described her as the “barometer” and the “north star” for the music industry.