Even after her death, Dolly Parton has continued to touch millions of hearts through her musical legacy.
Weeks after the legendary pop star;s death, her sister Stella revealed her final wish in an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings.
The grieving sister opened up about the country music icon's death, as she spoke about how faith played a big part in Dolly's life as her health declined, saying that Dolly asked for "prayers" in her final days.
"I know she was at peace; she knew where she was goin’. She wasn’t goin’ anywhere bad. She was going to be with Mama and Daddy," Stella added.
The singer further shared that Dolly’s husband, Carl Thomas Dean, died, but said she didn’t believe that was why she became ill.
Notably, Dolly and Carl were married for nearly 60 years, from May 30, 1966, until his death in March 2025.
Unlike Dolly, Carl stayed entirely out of the public spotlight and ran an asphalt-paving business in Nashville.
Inside Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Dean's relationship
Speaking about her deceased sister’s relationship with her partner, Stella noted, "I know their relationship was very unique and very deep and loyal. And I think it broke her heart to see him in the shape he, you know, got to before he passed away."
This update came when Dolly Parton's first posthumous track, Bound to Ride, was released, which she recorded in 2022.
The song came a few weeks after she died of cancer in August and was later buried next to her husband, Carl Dean, at the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
However, the newly resurfaced song also features on the Stanley Brothers tribute album due out on October 16th.
According to Rolling Stone, Dolly recorded her vocals during a surge of COVID cases, so she didn’t want to take any risks and stayed in her own studio to record her vocals for the traditional song that was popularised by the Stanley Brothers in 1964.
Fans' reaction over Dolly Parton's new track after her death
As the new song was released, fans expressed sadness and grief over the sudden passing of the musician.
One said, "A perfect tribute to a life well lived."
"Thank you, Dolly. R.I.P," another gushed.
Another commented, "DOLLY. We will always love you!! Thank you for singing with us."
