Dolly Parton was even more selfless than we knew. 

Following the country music icon’s death on August 25, her sister Stella shared that Dolly was willing to test experimental cancer drugs if it could help future patients.  

“My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful, and kind people I’ve ever known,” Stella wrote in a Facebook post. “What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, 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 also mentioned Dolly’s humor and how she refused to let Stella’s complaining get in the way of a good time. 

“Dolly loved the world and everyone in it,” Stella wrote. “I would criticize and complain about it, and she would laugh and say, ‘Shoot, Tedda, we’ve got more important things to do than worry about their silly asses.’ She was right, and she proved it every day.”

Her Final Health Update 

The 80-year-old star passed away after what her team described as a “brief battle with cancer.” Just days before her death, Dolly spoke out about her health, noting that she had to put her own physical needs on the back burner while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean.

“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she told People. “You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.”

She added that despite her physical hurdles, she was bound and determined to keep working and achieving her goals as long as possible. 

“I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner, and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

Bonding Over Coffee 

Stella also gave fans a quick glimpse at what it was like to be a Parton girl. Raised on a farm, both Dolly and Stella were early risers, and on Tuesday mornings they shared a weekly coffee date over the phone before the sun came up. They’d drink coffee, gossip, and make plans. 

“As she liked to say: ‘Shoot, Tedda, we get more work done before the sun comes up than most folks do all day long!’”

Although Stella said her Tuesday mornings would never be the same, she asked fans to honor her sister by following her example. 

“My sister was always thinking of others, and if you want to honor her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up, and give more of your time and resources, as she continued to do to the very end,” she wrote. “She left the world a better place by being in it, so let’s follow her example.”



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