Dolly Parton Was 'Devastated' Over Niece Danielle's Cancer Diagnosis: 'She Took It Really Heavy'

Danielle Parton reflected on her beloved aunt's reaction when she revealed her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Dolly Parton "died peacefully" on August 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to an official announcement issued at the time. She was 80. Representatives for the late legend said in a statement to PEOPLE that day, "after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones." Dolly was laid to rest beside her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, in a private service for immediate family. Dean died in March 2025. He was 82.

Danielle, daughter of Dolly's brother Bobby Parton, said in a recent interview with Extra that she's going through her own cancer journey. Though she "caught it early," she could tell Dolly, her "Aunt Granny," was concerned. That's how Danielle said she "figured out" Dolly was likely battling cancer just a few weeks before the "I Will Always Love You" legend's death.

"I'm going through a little bit of a cancer battle myself right now. I'm OK. Stage zero, caught it early, getting it done," Danielle said in the interview, which took place following the CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton tribute special. "But she took it really heavy, and that's how I figured out. I didn't know, like anybody else, what she was dealing with. I know she was sick. And that was about, I think it was around August 6 when I talked to her. And I figured out that she was dealing with cancer, most likely, at that point. And so, she was just devastated that I was going through it. And I remember telling her, I'm like, 'Look, you got to get it together. It ain't that deep. I just wanted you to know because, you know, I was having a biopsy.' And if she'd remembered, she would have got all over me. She'd have called and really chewed me a good one.

"She worried more about everybody else before she would ever let you know anything was wrong with her," Danielle said.

Last month, Dolly's sister, Stella Parton, spoke with CBS Mornings about Dolly's decision to keep her cancer battle private. Stella said "not every relative" knew what Dolly was going through. "She [Dolly] did not want people sad. And she did not want people worried," Stella said at the time.

The Dolly Parton Estate recently named Danielle the official Brand Ambassador, sharing in the announcement that Danielle "will help honor Dolly's remarkable legacy while bringing her own story and perspective to the forefront." Danielle is a "commercial airline pilot, military veteran and entrepreneur, (who) embodies the quick wit, strong work ethic and independent spirit that have made her aunt," according to a press release issued on October 23.

Danielle said in her interview with Extrathat she's "still a little overwhelmed," after losing her beloved aunt. "I've always known that Dolly was a huge star, but it's fascinating to me to see the outpouring of love since she's passed."