Dolly Parton’s niece ‘figured out’ singer had cancer after sharing her own diagnosis

Key Points

• Dolly Parton’s niece Danielle Parton recalled the moment she “figured out” the singer had cancer after sharing her own diagnosis.

• Danielle was recently named the new brand ambassador for the late country star’s estate amid legal issues with Dolly’s nephew Bryan Seaver.

• Dolly died in August at 80 “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer,” her rep revealed in a statement.

Dolly Person‘s niece is opening up about an unexpected connection with the late country star.

Danielle Parton, who was named the brand ambassador for the estate, recalled that she realized her aunt was diagnosed with cancer while experiencing her own health journey.

“I’m going through a little bit of a cancer battle myself right now,” Danielle told Extra, adding that she was “okay” and at “stage zero.” “Caught it early, getting it done. But she took it really heavy. And that’s how I figured out.”

“I didn’t know, like anybody else, what she was dealing with. I know she was sick. And that was about, I think it was around August 6th, when I talked to her and I figured out that she was dealing with cancer most likely at that point. And so she was just devastated that I was going through it.”

“And I remember telling her, I’m like, ‘Look, you got to get it together. It ain’t that deep. I just wanted you to know.’ because she knew I was having a biopsy,” continued Danielle.

“And if she had remembered, she would have got all over me. She’d have called and really chewed me a good one. She worried more about everybody else before she would ever let you know anything was wrong with her.”

The “Jolene” singer died on Aug. 25 at 80 “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer,” a rep confirmed at the time.

Danielle was named the brand ambassador for Dolly’s estate weeks after Dolly’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, was terminated from his role amid claims he made violent threats, which Seaver has denied.

“A commercial airline pilot, military veteran and entrepreneur, Danielle embodies the quick wit, strong work ethic and independent spirit that have made her aunt, Dolly Parton, an enduring cultural icon,” the estate said in a statement, adding that Danielle is “a fitting ambassador to help celebrate Dolly’s legacy and connect with fans around the world.”

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.

Danielle also reflected on her aunt, whom she affectionately called “Aunt Granny.” “She loved us deeply, believed in big dreams, and she always encouraged me to find my way in this world,” Danielle said in an Instagram video when she was named the estate’s brand ambassador.

“For me, that path led to the sky,” she said. “I became a pilot, I served my nation for 20 years in the National Guard, and I built a career in aviation that I’m incredibly proud of to this day.”

“Like so many of you, losing her has changed something for me,” Danielle added. “It made me think of the stories, the values, and lessons that she left behind and the responsibility our family has to care for them.”

She also told Extra about the Oct. 21 tribute special that aired in Dolly’s honor. “I’m still a little overwhelmed,” she admitted of the CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton. The special featured Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, and others.

“I’ve always known that Dolly was a huge star, but it’s fascinating to me to see the outpouring of love since she’s passed,” Danielle said.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly