Dolly Parton's sister reveals why no one in Nashville has sent condolences after singer's death
Dolly Parton's sister Stella has opened up about her sister's death, and why she feels people in Nashville aren't sending their condolences.
Dolly Parton's sister Stella has claimed no one in Nashville has offered their condolences after her sibling's death.
The 77-year-old singer, who has been a vocal critic of United States President Donald Trump, has speculated that her outspoken political views might be the reason why people haven't reached out after Dolly died aged 80 on August 25.
Speaking to CBS Mornings, she told host Gayle King: "I haven't heard from anybody in Nashville since my sister passed away. I haven't had one condolence from anyone – anybody that I know, entertainers that I know. Nobody. Not one...
"I'm assuming it might be because of my political, you know, activism on social media. I don't know."
Dolly famously kept quiet about her own stance on politics, although Stella confirmed the Jolene hitmaker did have her own beliefs.
She added: "I'm not telling!"
Stella, who is also a country musician, admitted that her sister was "smarter" by not revealing much in public.
She said: "She never would have done that. She was smarter than me. You know, I tell everything. And I like everybody knowing what I think about it.
"Not her... She's a good businesswoman."
Dolly did use her platform to support and advocate for certain issues, even if she didn't reveal her political leanings.
She made a $1 million donation to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee to help fund Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, and in 1995 she launched the Imagination Library initiative, which has gone onto donate over 300 million books to children around the world.
Elsewhere in the interview, Stella admitted she never actually saw Dolly without her signature makeup once she became famous.
She said: "Not after she got to be 'Dolly Parton.' No, she would sleep in her makeup when she would come spend the night with me."
After Dolly's death, her family revealed she had passed away following a "brief battle" with cancer.
Her representatives said in a statement: “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched.
"Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.
"After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."
