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Dolly Parton<\/a>\u2019s niece Danielle Parton<\/strong> says she began to suspect her famous aunt was battling cancer after sharing her own diagnosis with the country legend in August, just weeks before Dolly died on Aug. 25.<\/p>\n Danielle, the daughter of Dolly\u2019s older brother Bobby Parton<\/strong>, opened up about the experience during a recent chat with Extra<\/a><\/em>, explaining that Dolly was devastated to learn her niece was dealing with the disease.<\/p>\n She explained that\u00a0she told Dolly about her own cancer diagnosis<\/a> around Aug. 6, after undergoing a biopsy. Although her cancer was caught early, Dolly was devastated by the news.<\/p>\n \u201cI am going through a little bit of a cancer battle myself right now. I\u2019m okay, stage zero, caught it early, getting it done,\u201d Danielle said. \u201cBut she took it really heavy, and that\u2019s how I figured out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook, you gotta get it together, it ain\u2019t that deep,\u201d Danielle remembered telling her aunt. \u201cI just wanted you to know because you knew I was having a biopsy.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More: <\/b><\/em>Why Dolly Parton Kept Her Cancer Diagnosis Private<\/a><\/p>\n But Dolly\u2019s strong reaction made Danielle suspect her aunt was battling cancer herself. At the time, Danielle knew Dolly was sick but didn\u2019t know what she was going through.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know, like anybody else, what she was dealing with<\/a>. I knew she was sick,\u201d Danielle said.<\/p>\n Looking back, Danielle believes Dolly\u2019s instinct to protect the people she loved<\/a> kept her from revealing her own struggles.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Dolly Parton\u2019s Family Won\u2019t Reveal What Type of Cancer She Had \u2013 Because It Was Her Story to Tell<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cShe worried more about everybody else, before she would ever let you know that anything was wrong with her,\u201d Danielle said.<\/p>\n Danielle is the daughter of Dolly\u2019s older brother Bobby and has built an accomplished career of her own. She is a commercial airline pilot, military veteran and entrepreneur who spent 20 years in the military before launching Shine Girl<\/a>, her moonshine distillery in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Dolly\u2019s estate announced Danielle as its official brand ambassador.<\/p>\n The two shared a close relationship<\/a>, and Dolly even recorded a video message for Danielle\u2019s military retirement in 2025. Danielle said her aunt had a special way of making her nieces feel beautiful and important.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we were putting that together, I was shocked that we had that introduction. She always acted like we were the prettiest, the best,\u201d Danielle recalled.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Reba McEntire\u2019s Tribute to Dolly Parton Comes Down to One Thing: Who She Was Offstage [Watch]<\/a><\/p>\n Danielle also admitted she has often heard that she looks like her famous aunt. \u201cI\u2019ve heard it before, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Danielle said she is still overwhelmed by the outpouring of love following Dolly\u2019s death on Aug. 25<\/a>, she said seeing how deeply her aunt touched people around the world has been incredible for the family.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always known that Dolly was a huge star, but it\u2019s fascinating to me to see the outpouring of love since she\u2019s passed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n From Carrie Underwood and Lainey Wilson to Vince Gill and Reba McEntire, the lineup represented several generations of country music.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Donny Meacham<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow Did Dolly Parton\u2019s Niece Find Out She Had Cancer?<\/h3>\n
Who Is Dolly Parton\u2019s Niece Danielle?<\/h3>\n
Dolly Parton Tribute Concert: All the Performers<\/h2>\n