Dolly Parton's niece shares why the late country music legend kept her cancer battle private

Dolly Parton's niece shared why the late singer kept her health struggles largely out of the public eye before her death.

Jada Star opened up about her aunt's final days in an interview with Extra. The country music icon died on Aug. 25 at 80 years old, with her representatives later sharing that she had cancer without specifying its type.

“She never wanted to worry anybody,” Star said when asked about Parton's secret battle with cancer. “You know, we kind of kept all that stuff real private.” 

While they knew about Parton's health concerns, Star said that her aunt's death still came as a shock to their family. “It was just a shock. Not a dry eye in the house, as they would say.”

Star described the loss as “really difficult and very surreal,” but said the outpouring of love from fans around the world has made the experience “really bittersweet.”

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

Star, who is also a singer-songwriter, said she plans to carry the lessons she learned from Parton into her own life and work, including not worrying too much about what other people think. “Everything she taught me, I’ll use in everything I do.” 

When asked what she would say to Parton if she had one more chance, Star turned emotional and said, “I think I would just say thank you so much and I love you so much and I know you’re okay.”

Parton, born in Tennessee in 1946, became one of country music’s most influential performers. She's known for hits Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You.