Sister: Dolly Parton offered to try experimental cancer drugs to help others

Dolly Parton's sister, Stella, has revealed that the country music icon was willing to try "experimental drugs" during her cancer treatment "in the hope of helping others."

Following the news of the Jolene singer-songwriter's death at age 80 earlier this week, Stella paid tribute to her sister in a lengthy Facebook post.

As the world remembered Dolly's legacy in music and entertainment, many have also highlighted her generosity, kindness, and principles while paying their respects. Stella echoed this sentiment, writing:

"My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I've ever known. What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future."

Stella added:

"My sister was always thinking of others and if you want to honour her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources as she continued to do to the very end."

She also thanked the public for their support:

"I want to personally thank all of you for the outpouring of love and respect you are showing my sister. Your love and respect for her is deeply felt by all of us who loved her first and it helps as we grieve her passing through our lives!"

Concluding her tribute, Stella wrote:

"Dolly loved the world and everyone in it. I would criticise and complain about it and she would laugh and say: 'shoot Tedda, we've got more important things to do than worry about their silly asses.' She was right and she proved it everyday. She left the world a better place by being in it so let's follow her example."

Health and Funeral Details

Over the past year, Dolly had shared with fans that she was being treated for "health challenges" but chose not to disclose specifics during her lifetime.

Following the announcement of her death, her family issued a statement confirming she had died after a "brief battle with cancer." They also shared that she would be laid to rest in a "small" and "private" funeral attended by her closest family and friends.