Wynonna Judd 'still in denial' about 'aunt' Dolly Parton's death
Wynonna Judd's friend and music mentor Dolly Parton died aged 80 on August 25 following a "brief battle with cancer".
Wynonna Judd is "still in denial" about the death of her friend and music mentor Dolly Parton.
The legendary singer died aged 80 on August 25 following a "brief battle with cancer", and more than two months on, Wynonna, 62, is still coming to terms with her loss.
She told The Guardian: "[I am] still in denial. It’s the end of an era."
The No One Else on Earth hitmaker revealed that she considered Dolly her "aunt" and recalled their emotional final exchange at the funeral of her mum and musical partner, Naomi Judd, who died by suicide aged 76 in April 2022 after suffering from depression.
Wynonna continued: "She showed up for me at my mom’s funeral and memorial and sang a little of I Will Always Love You. She looked into my eyes and told me that she loved me and I told her I loved her – and that was the last time I saw her."
The five-time Grammy winner believes the Jolene icon made the world a brighter place.
Wynonna said: "She was always the brightest light in the room. She had such a joy about her and it was infectious – being with her was like being at Disney World, she was just so much fun."
A day after Dolly's death was announced, Wynonna took to Instagram to pay an emotional tribute to the 9 to 5 artist.
She shared multiple photos, including some of herself and Naomi alongside Dolly, with the caption: "To imagine a world without @dollyparton is almost unthinkable.
"The mark she left on music, our culture, and the human spirit is greater than any of us could ever hope to leave behind.
"When Mom passed, Dolly showed up for me in a way I’ll never forget. That’s who she was—she showed up. She was family.
"She was a light in my life and in the lives of millions of people who may never have had the privilege of knowing her personally, but somehow felt like they did.
"There will never be another Dolly. I will miss my friend more than words can say.
"From one mountain woman to another, I will always love you. (sic)"
Three days after Dolly's death on August 25, her family gathered at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, where she was laid to rest beside her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 aged 82.
