Dolly Parton’s death at 80 has prompted an outpouring of tributes from around the world, while fans have also been revisiting her family life, her famous sisters and some of the defining performances of her career.
The country music icon died on August 25, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. Her death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who said the family was carrying out wishes Parton had discussed with him years earlier.
Among the questions now being searched by fans are: Who are Dolly Parton’s sisters? When did Dolly Parton play Glastonbury? And when was her funeral?
Here is what we know.
Who Are Dolly Parton’s Sisters?
Dolly Parton was one of 12 children born to Robert Lee Parton Sr. and Avie Lee Parton.
She had five sisters: Stella, Cassie, Freida and Rachel, as well as her sister Willadeene. The Parton children grew up in Tennessee in difficult financial circumstances, but music became an important part of family life.
Several of Dolly’s siblings became involved in music, entertainment or other creative work.
Stella Parton
Stella Parton is perhaps the best-known of Dolly’s sisters outside the family.
Like Dolly, Stella pursued a career in country music and became a recording artist in her own right.
Following Dolly’s death, Stella paid an emotional tribute to her older sister. She described Dolly as exceptionally generous and recalled their tradition of speaking on the phone over coffee on Tuesday mornings.
Stella also revealed one of Dolly’s final acts of generosity. According to Stella, Dolly had been willing to allow doctors to try experimental cancer treatments if there was a possibility that doing so could help future patients.
Cassie Parton
Cassie Parton was another of Dolly’s sisters.
Cassie generally maintained a lower public profile than Dolly and Stella, although she remained closely connected to the family.
Her son, Bryan Seaver, was the family member who announced Dolly’s death publicly.
Freida Parton
Dolly’s sister Freida Parton also pursued music for a time.
She later became an ordained minister, taking a different path from Dolly’s entertainment career.
Rachel Parton
Rachel Parton worked in entertainment and is known for appearing in the television adaptation of 9 to 5, a project connected to Dolly’s famous film and song.
She also collaborated with Dolly on family-oriented projects, including their cookbook.
Willadeene Parton
Willadeene Parton, Dolly’s oldest sister, has also contributed to the family’s story through writing.
She has remained more private than some of her siblings but has helped preserve memories of the Parton family’s upbringing.
How Many Sisters Did Dolly Parton Have?
Dolly Parton had five sisters among her 11 siblings.
Her sisters were:
- Willadeene Parton
- Stella Parton
- Cassie Parton
- Freida Parton
- Rachel Parton
She also had six brothers.
The large family was raised in the Smoky Mountains region of Tennessee, and Dolly frequently spoke about how her childhood experiences influenced her music.
Songs such as “Coat of Many Colors” were deeply connected to her family and upbringing.
When Did Dolly Parton Play Glastonbury?
Dolly Parton played Glastonbury Festival on Sunday, June 29, 2014.
It was her first appearance at the festival and took place on the famous Pyramid Stage. The official Glastonbury archive lists her performance at 4:20 p.m., with a scheduled performance running until 5:30 p.m.
The performance became one of the most memorable moments of the 2014 festival.
The Victoria and Albert Museum’s Glastonbury archive confirms that Parton made her Glastonbury debut on the Pyramid Stage that year.
What Year Was Dolly Parton at Glastonbury?
Dolly Parton performed at Glastonbury in 2014.
It was her only recorded Glastonbury performance. The V&A’s Performing Glastonbury archive lists 2014 as both her first and last appearance at the festival.
The official Glastonbury website described Parton as one of the major attractions of the 2014 festival.
Her appearance generated huge attention, with the festival later noting that she graced newspaper front pages around the world after her performance.
What Songs Did Dolly Parton Sing at Glastonbury?
Parton used the Glastonbury performance to showcase some of the songs that had defined her extraordinary career.
Among the songs associated with her set were:
- “Jolene”
- “9 to 5”
- “Coat of Many Colors”
- “I Will Always Love You”
The performance combined country music, humor and Parton’s unmistakable stage presence.
She also wore a sparkling rhinestone-covered outfit that became one of the visual highlights of the performance.
The Guardian described the set as an enormously crowd-pleasing performance, with a huge audience gathering around the Pyramid Stage.
Why Was Dolly Parton’s Glastonbury Performance So Important?
Parton was already an international superstar when she arrived at Worthy Farm in 2014.
However, Glastonbury gave her the opportunity to introduce her music to a festival audience that included many younger listeners and fans from outside traditional country music.
The response was enormous.
The official Glastonbury history describes the performance as a major moment of the 2014 festival, while the V&A archive records it as her first appearance at the event.
Her ability to connect with such a large crowd demonstrated why Parton had remained relevant across generations.
When Was Dolly Parton’s Funeral?
Dolly Parton requested a small, private funeral service for her immediate family.
Following her death on August 25, family members gathered at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville three days later. Reports said it was unclear whether the gathering represented the complete funeral service, but Parton’s wishes were for a private family ceremony.
Parton is expected to be laid to rest beside her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 after nearly six decades of marriage.
This means there is no large public funeral planned for fans.
Instead, the family has encouraged people who want to honor Parton to celebrate her life and support causes that were important to her.
Where Will Dolly Parton Be Buried?
Dolly Parton will be buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee, beside her late husband Carl Dean.
Her final resting place is in the same cemetery associated with several prominent figures from the Nashville music community.
Reports say Parton’s gravesite features a mountain scene reflecting her Tennessee roots.
The decision to bury her beside Dean is particularly meaningful because their marriage lasted nearly 60 years before his death in 2025.
Did Dolly Parton Have a Public Funeral?
No.
Parton had expressed a preference for a private family service rather than a large public funeral.
Her family has instead encouraged fans to remember her through her music, charitable work and the causes she supported.
Fans have also been encouraged to make donations to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library rather than sending flowers.
What Song Did Dolly Parton Want at Her Funeral?
Parton had reportedly expressed a wish for the gospel song “If We Never Meet Again” to be sung at her funeral.
The choice is fitting given her lifelong connection to gospel music and her religious upbringing in Tennessee.
Her faith was an important part of her upbringing and frequently appeared in her music throughout her career.
How Did Dolly Parton Die?
Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, following a brief battle with cancer.
Her family had previously acknowledged health concerns, but the announcement of her death still came as a major shock to fans around the world.
Her sister Stella later described Dolly’s generosity during her final days and said she remained focused on helping others even while facing her own illness.
Dolly Parton’s Final Years
Parton’s final years were marked by both personal loss and continued creativity.
She lost her husband Carl Dean in March 2025 and later experienced the deaths of several members of her family.
Her brother Coy “Denver” Parton died in July 2026, just weeks before Dolly’s own death.
Despite those losses and her own health challenges, Parton continued to work on music, entertainment and philanthropic projects.
Her commitment to helping others remained one of the defining features of her public life.
Dolly Parton’s Legacy
Dolly Parton’s influence extends far beyond country music.
She wrote thousands of songs, recorded major hits and became one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers.
Her songwriting legacy includes:
- “Jolene”
- “9 to 5”
- “I Will Always Love You”
- “Coat of Many Colors”
- “Here You Come Again”
She also built Dollywood, became a successful businesswoman and established the Imagination Library, which promotes childhood literacy.
Her charitable work became almost as important to her public identity as her music. Reuters reported that her career included more than 100 million records sold and extensive philanthropic work.
Dolly Parton Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Dolly Parton’s sisters?
Dolly Parton had five sisters: Willadeene, Stella, Cassie, Freida and Rachel Parton.
Is Stella Parton Dolly Parton’s sister?
Yes. Stella Parton is Dolly Parton’s younger sister and is also a country singer.
How many siblings did Dolly Parton have?
Dolly was one of 12 children, meaning she had 11 siblings.
When did Dolly Parton play Glastonbury?
Dolly Parton played Glastonbury on June 29, 2014.
What time did Dolly Parton perform at Glastonbury?
Her Pyramid Stage performance was scheduled for 4:20 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2014.
Was Dolly Parton at Glastonbury more than once?
No. The V&A’s Glastonbury archive records 2014 as her only appearance at the festival.
When did Dolly Parton die?
Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80.
When was Dolly Parton’s funeral?
Parton’s family held or gathered for a private funeral service around August 28, 2026, in accordance with her wishes. She is being laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville beside Carl Dean.
Will there be a public Dolly Parton funeral?
No large public funeral has been announced. Parton’s wishes were for a small private service involving immediate family.
Final Thoughts
Dolly Parton’s death has brought renewed attention to every part of her remarkable life — from her five sisters and large Tennessee family to her unforgettable performance at Glastonbury.
Her Glastonbury appearance on June 29, 2014, remains one of the festival’s memorable performances, while her private funeral reflects the way Parton wanted to be remembered: surrounded by family rather than by a massive public ceremony.
Her sister Stella’s emotional tribute has also offered fans a glimpse into the woman behind the global superstar. Dolly was remembered not simply as a country music legend, but as a sister, wife, aunt, friend and philanthropist who continued thinking about other people until the end.
From the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, Dolly Parton’s story crossed generations and borders — and her music and generosity will continue to do the same.
