Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 following a short battle with cancer, her representatives confirmed. The country legend had admitted in her final days that she "didn't pay attention" to her own health problems, revealing a heartbreaking reason for putting them aside.
Health issues set aside for husband
Parton told People magazine that the death of her husband Carl Dean last year forced her to neglect her own health issues. She said: "I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl."
She added: "It's not like I haven't been through hard times with my health. But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn't years ago."
Final public appearance cancelled
Earlier this month, Parton was forced to pull out of an appearance at her Dollywood theme park. She explained: "I've told you before, all my fans, that I've had a few little health issues and sometimes I get a little dizzy and I get dehydrated. And I'm dehydrated."
She continued: "So my Nashville doctor has kind of clipped my wings, saying, 'You ain't traveling this week.' So I guess if your doctor tells you, 'You ain't traveling this week,' you ain't traveling this week."
Tributes pour in
Parton's death has prompted heartfelt tributes from figures including Taylor Swift, Eminem, Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and Beyonce. The "Jolene" hitmaker had said she was "still healing" but "still working" following Carl's death.
Carl Dean passed away in March last year. It has emerged that he had reportedly been battling Alzheimer's disease since 2019, with his cause of death kept private in line with the family's wishes.
In 2022, Parton said she did not think she would tour again, explaining: "I do not think I will ever tour again, but I do know I'll do special shows here and there, now and then. I have no intention of going on a full-blown tour anymore."
She added: "I've done that my whole life, and it takes so much time and energy. I like to stay a little closer to home with my husband. We're getting older now, and I don't want to be gone for four or five weeks at a time. Something could happen."
