Jada Star Says Dolly Parton's Death at 80 Shocked Family Despite Private Cancer Battle
Updated
Updated · Taste of Country · Sep 2
Jada Star Says Dolly Parton's Death at 80 Shocked Family Despite Private Cancer Battle
3 articles · Updated · Taste of Country · Sep 2
Summary
Jada Star said Dolly Parton’s death on Aug. 25 came as “a shock” to her family, even though relatives knew the singer had been battling cancer.
A brief cancer battle was confirmed only after Parton’s death, and Star said the family kept her condition highly private because Parton “never wanted to worry anybody.”
Parton, 80, had canceled appearances in recent months and had disclosed kidney stones and other health issues while caring for husband Carl Dean before his 2025 death.
In the first week after her death, Star described the grief as “surreal” but said global tributes had helped the family, adding Parton would have urged them to return to work and love each other.