Dolly Parton’s Sister Stella Says Late Icon Offered to Test Experimental Drugs to Help Battle Cancer

Stella and Dolly Parton Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Dolly Parton’s little sister Stella Parton has revealed the country music icon asked her medical team to try experimental drugs on her to help future cancer patients battle their own health struggles.

“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 Parton said in an emotional Facebook tribute.

She insisted the late icon got to heaven “right on time” on Tuesday, when Dolly Parton’s death after a brief battle with cancer was revealed. The music legend was admitted to the hospital in Nashville late last week after dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues.

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Stella Parton said her sister’s 11th hour medical request that her doctors be allowed to test possibly future drugs to battle cancer was in keeping with her lifetime of trying to help others. “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,” Stella Parton wrote.

The elder Parton revealed in September that she was postponing a set of Las Vegas concerts to deal with “some health challenges.” In the past few months, the country music legend put on a brave front, telling her fans that she was OK. Her husband of nearly 58 years, businessman Carl Dean, died at age 82 on March 3, 2025.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to The Dolly Parton Estate for comment on Stella Parton’s social media tribute.

Stella Parton’s tribute to her sister follows in full:

My big sister Dolly got her wings this past Tuesday. If anyone gets to heaven I’m sure she made it right on time. I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine. That was my sister’s way.

Every Tuesday about this time, before the sun came up and the world was still asleep, she and I for many years had our coffee together over the phone. Being little farm girls we’ve continued to be early risers. As she liked to say; “shoot Tedda we get more work done before the sun comes up than most folks do all day long!”

We would catch up on gossip, as sisters do, and drink coffee and make plans as it has always been our way. My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known. 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.

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. I want to personally thank all of you for the out pouring of love and respect you are showing my sister. Your love and respect for her is deeply felt by all of us who loved her first and it helps as we grieve her passing through our lives!

My Tuesday morning coffee time will never be the same but her love, respect and goodness will remain. Dolly loved the world and everyone in it. 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 everyday. She left the world a better place by being in it so let’s follow her example. Love and respect to all of you. Stella