Dolly Parton's Niece Recalls Her Final Days as She Admits Family Kept Her Health Struggles 'Real Private': 'Just a Shock'

Dolly Parton’s niece Jada is opening up about the country music icon’s final days and the emotions that followed her death.

In an interview with Extra, Jada, the daughter of Dolly’s sister Freida Parton and musician Mark Andersen, explained that the family chose to keep Dolly’s health struggles “real private” until the very end.

“She never wanted to worry anybody. So I think it was just a shock on Tuesday,” Jada revealed, adding that her August 25 death was “really bittersweet.”

“I can’t remember a life without her. She would also tell us to start drying it up and start trying to get back to work and love each other real hard. She was just a trip,” she added.

Jada also opened up about the emotional tribute show held on August 29 to celebrate Dolly’s life, legacy and 57 years as a member of the country music community.

The Grand Ole Opry event brought together a star-studded lineup, but for Dolly’s family, the night was especially emotional.

“Not a dry eye in the house, as they would say,” Jada described the event.

Jada also took the stage to perform, something she admitted was not easy under the circumstances.

“I hope that she would have been real proud. She knows that I was a chicken. She had a different set of advice for every single person on the earth… For me, my advice I frequently got was, ‘Why are you worried about what other people think?’ So I just thought of that when I was out there. Everything she taught me, I’ll use in everything I do,” she shared.

After the tribute, Jada expressed her appreciation for the people who have continued to show love and support for the Parton family.

“All of these tributes have helped so much to help us all through it,” Jada said.

Jada’s mother, Freida, has also been sharing memories of her older sister following Dolly’s death. Freida turned to Facebook to honor the country music legend, who died at 80 years old.

“Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Freida began, directing her message to fans.

While millions knew Dolly as one of the biggest stars in country music, Freida described a much more intimate relationship between the sisters. The siblings were 11 years apart, and Dolly played an important role in Freida’s childhood. She helped care for her younger sister during her teenage years and eventually became like a second mother to her.

“I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma. She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark. She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18. She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one),” the singer-songwriter penned.

Dolly and Freida grew up in a large family in rural Tennessee.

Dolly was the fourth of 12 children born to Robert and Avie Lee Parton. Freida was the 10th child in the family and had a twin brother, Floyd Parton, who died in 2018.

For Freida, remembering her sister also means finding a way to carry forward the love Dolly gave to her family and fans.

“I know she would want me to keep going, keep smiling, and keep sharing the love she gave so freely with others. That is what I’m going to try to do, even on the days when it feels impossible. I’m working on something very special for all of you in her honor. It’s my way of keeping a little piece of my Dolly Momma with me, while sharing her with all of you who loved her, too,” Freida concluded. “Thank you for loving her, for praying for her, and now, for loving and praying for all of us. ❤️ All My Love, Freida.”