EXCLUSIVE: Dolly Parton’s Cousin Shares New Details on Her Health Battle Before Her Death

Ariana Brockington

Trending News Reporter

Dolly Parton’s first cousin Richie Owens has shared that the country music icon kept her health struggles private from even some family members in the time leading up to her death, choosing instead to keep everyone optimistic.

The country music legend and actor died on Aug. 25 at the age of 80 from what a family spokesperson said was “a brief battle with cancer.”

Owens, who was a musical collaborator with Parton and also serves as the Parton family historian, stopped by TODAY Sept. 3 to speak about her life and legacy. Parton had shared in the months leading to her death that she had been struggling with health issues but did not publicly state that she had cancer.

“She of course posted herself that she had been going through health problems, but no one really knew what a lot of that was, including myself,” Owens said. “She always kept things private because she always wanted to keep everybody being positive around her and put that out there in the world. Just, ‘Don’t worry about me, I’m going to be fine.’ Just show the love.”

Owens also clarified reports that there was a formal funeral for his beloved cousin. Owens’ father, Louis, was the brother of Parton’s mother, Avie Lee Owens.

Parton was laid to rest alongside her husband of 59 years, Carl Dean, who died at 82 in 2025. Parton’s family confirmed that she was buried in Nashville on Aug. 28.

“She wanted to keep it very quiet,” Owens said. “The word keeps getting brought up, ‘funeral,’ and I don’t believe that was really the case in this situation. It was a burial, to be buried beside her husband.

“And she wanted it very small, and a few family members were there,” he added. “Other people that I’m sure would’ve liked to have been there were either out doing other things and stuff. It was very quiet, very quickly done, and not for any bad reasons whatsoever, it’s just that’s what she wanted. She wanted to keep it very, very private.”

Owens believes Parton, a noted philanthropist, would want any money spent mourning her loss to be spent on helping others.

“That’s exactly what she said ... when that happens to her, when she passes, she would much rather see people take that $50 you should spend on flowers and give it to her Imagination Library,” Owens said. “She’s said that many, many times. She really cared about her charities.”

The news of Parton’s death was first shared in a video message from her nephew Bryan Seaver posted on her Instagram account.

“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver said, adding that fulfilling that request was “an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.”

An obituary posted on her Facebook account read, “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family.”