Danielle Parton did not realize that she was undergoing treatment for cancer during the same period her aunt, Dolly Parton, was also facing the disease.
During an interview with “Extra” released on Oct. 22, Danielle Parton revealed that she is “going through a little bit of a cancer battle myself right now.”
Although she chose not to reveal further medical details, Danielle described her condition as “stage zero,” explaining that she “caught it early.” She disclosed her diagnosis to her aunt several weeks before Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80 on Aug. 25 after battling an undisclosed form of cancer.
“She took it really heavy, and that’s how I figured out,” Danielle Parton recalled, describing her aunt’s response to the news. “I didn’t know, like anybody else, what she was dealing with. I knew she was sick.”
Danielle explained that during a conversation with Dolly “around August 6,” she “figured out that she was dealing with cancer most likely at that point.”
According to Danielle, the singer famous for “Jolene” was “just devastated that I was going through it, and I remember telling her, I’m like, ‘Look, you’ve gotta get it together. It ain’t that deep. I just wanted you to know.'”
Reflecting on her aunt’s compassionate nature, Danielle added, “She worried more about everybody else before she would ever let you know anything was wrong with her.”
Danielle Parton appointed ambassador of Dolly Parton estate
Danielle Parton’s love and admiration for her Aunt Dolly remain unwavering.
The late country music icon’s niece has been appointed brand ambassador for Dolly Parton’s estate, according to a report published by People magazine. A press release obtained by the publication indicated that the position would give Danielle an opportunity to contribute to protecting her aunt’s legacy while bringing “her own story and perspective to the forefront.”
Parton’s representatives have been contacted for additional comment.
Danielle also shared a video on Instagram expressing her enthusiasm about taking on the new responsibility. In the Oct. 21 recording, she reflected on Dolly’s influence, recalling that her aunt “loved us deeply, believed in big dreams and she always encouraged me to find my way in this world.”
“I’m not crazy enough to try to fill her shoes. God knows I couldn’t walk [in] them without killing myself,” Danielle Parton said humorously. “What I can do is share the woman that I knew. I can tell some of the stories of her, the stories behind the global icon and support the people carrying forward the work that she cared for and created to make sure what she built continues to bring people joy.”
Who is Danielle Parton?
Danielle Parton is the daughter of Bobby Parton, Dolly Parton’s younger brother. Her interview with “Extra” coincided with the Oct. 21 broadcast of the ABC tribute special, “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” which honored the legendary country singer.
Before establishing her Shine Girl moonshine business, Danielle served as a pilot in the Air National Guard, according to the company’s official website. Throughout multiple military deployments, she flew “the C-130 and C-5 aircraft around the world and in combat.”
Dolly Parton’s sister, Stella Parton, previously revealed during an appearance on “CBS Mornings” that “the ones of us that were closer” had been aware of the celebrated singer’s struggle with cancer.
Explaining why Dolly had chosen to keep her illness private, Stella added, “Dolly could not bear negative things,” before noting, “And she would not have wanted her fans worried about it.”