Dolly Parton’s sister has shared an emotional tribute in the wake of her death.
Freida Parton took to social media to express her grief over the passing of her “Dolly Momma”.
“Thank you all for bearing with me as I mourn the death of my big sister,” Frieda, 69, posted to Facebook on Saturday, before going on to explain that Dolly, 11 years her senior, had been a mother figure to her.
“I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma,” Freida wrote. “She was the sister who would climb into bed with me when I was little because we were both afraid of the dark. She was the woman who stepped up and became my Momma, raising me from ages 13 to 18.”
She added Dolly, famous for her love of wigs and hairpieces, had attempted, unsuccessfully, to persuade her to follow the same route, writing, “She was the one who tried to convince me to wear her wigs at my shows in Dollywood (sorry, sister, but I definitely didn’t listen to you on that one).”
Freida was candid about the sisterly fights she and Dolly had shared.
“Like all sisters, we definitely had our share of arguments and disagreements throughout the years,” she wrote, “but even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her.”
She concluded the post by asking Dolly’s fans to pray for their family, before hinting she had a surprise in store.
“I asked you all months ago to pray for Dolly, but now I’m going to ask you to please pray for me and my entire family as we navigate this insurmountable loss,” Freida wrote.
“There will never be anyone who can replace her in our hearts, and I know she holds a special place in many of yours as well.
“I know she would want me to keep going, keep smiling, and keep sharing the love she gave so freely with others. That is what I’m going to try to do, even on the days when it feels impossible.
“I’m working on something very special for all of you in her honor. It’s my way of keeping a little piece of my Dolly Momma with me, while sharing her with all of you who loved her, too.”
Dolly died on 25 August, aged 80, after a short battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. Her family has since confirmed the country great had been buried beside her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, who died in 2025.
