Dolly Parton's first cousin and longtime musical collaborator, Richie Owens, has revealed why the country music icon kept her cancer battle private - even from close family members - in the months before her death.
Owens, who also serves as the Parton family historian, appeared on NBC's Today show on Sept. 3 to discuss Parton's final months and address confusion over her Aug. 28 burial.
"She always kept things private because she always wanted to keep everybody being positive around her and put that out there in the world," Owens said. "Just, 'Don't worry about me, I'm going to be fine.' Just show the love."
Parton, 80, died Aug. 25 after what her family described as a brief battle with cancer. According to Owens, even relatives were unaware of the full extent of her illness, despite her occasional public updates about "health issues" in the months leading up to her death.
Owens also clarified that the Aug. 28 ceremony widely reported as a funeral was, in fact, a small private burial beside her husband, Carl Dean, who died in 2025. "It was very quiet, very quickly done ... she wanted to keep it very, very private," he said, adding that Parton wanted mourners to redirect funeral costs toward her Imagination Library literacy charity instead.
Faith has long been woven into Parton's public story - she often credited her gospel upbringing and personal relationship with God for the hope and generosity that defined her career, values her family has said guided even her final wishes.
Owens' comments offer fans a rare, intimate glimpse into how one of country music's most beloved figures chose to face her final chapter - quietly, faithfully, and focused on others.
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