Dolly died at the age of 80 on Aug. 25

NEED TO KNOW

• Stella Parton thanked fans for their support and reflected on her family’s grief after Dolly Parton’s death
• She criticized misinformation and negativity online, urging others to focus on compassion and respect
• Stella called Dolly a positive influence who used her music to inspire tolerance and kindness in others

Stella Parton is speaking out about the loss of her sister, Dolly Parton, 10 days after her death.

Dolly died at the age of 80 on Aug. 25, her nephew Bryan Seaver shared in an Instagram video that same day. Shortly after, representatives for the late country icon confirmed Dolly died following a “brief battle with cancer.”

Stella shared an update on how she is coping with the loss in a heartfelt Instagram post on Friday, Sept. 4, during what she called her “coffee hour.”

She began by thanking those who have shown “genuine support” to her family during their time of bereavement.

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“We will be okay in time but each of us will grieve in our personal way,” she wrote. “Every human being experiences pain and loss in life and my family is no different.”

Stella added that because they have chosen to live their lives publicly, they have “no choice” but to be subjected to “incredible pressure and insensitivity from strangers.”

“There is a tremendous amount of AI and endless garbage being posted everyday and it’s been challenging to absorb and/or ignore,” she continued. “As time passes, those who are in the business of exploiting the loss and tragedies of others on a daily basis will move on to the next stampede of endless misinformation.”

Stella shared that Dolly would have been “surprised and delighted by the love her family and she has been shown at this time.”

Because she loved her fans and the public in general, Stella said Dolly chose not to express her opinions on “a lot of things,” like politics.

“She knew as well as anyone what a negative vortex that could turn into, which is nothing but a huge waste of positive energy,” said Stella.

Stella called her sister a “positive influence” whose music impacted people in a positive way, and recognized her as having a heart “so big and tender.”

Because of that, she asked others to “show more compassion and wisdom as we move forward in life.”

“Use my sister’s life as an example for tolerance and respect toward others,” Stella wrote. “It’s not about the most clever comments, fake AI garbage, or snarky tweets.”

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“At the end of the day or the end of your life, how will you feel about yourself? It’s not about what other individuals you will never meet think of you,” said Stella.

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