Judy Ogle, Dolly Parton's BFF, Was Likely Among The Few Who Knew Her Private Health Struggle

Dolly Parton's sister, Stella Parton, appeared on "CBS Mornings" this week for her first public interview since losing the country music icon. In a teaser released on September 9, Stella opened up about her sister's health struggles and why she opted to keep her cancer diagnosis private. "Dolly did not want anybody to tell that because Dolly could not bear negative things," said Stella. "She would not have wanted her fans worried about it." In fact, even some of their family members didn't know about Dolly's illness until after her death. "Some of us knew, the ones of us that were closer. [But] not every relative," Stella revealed. Judy Ogle, Dolly's lifelong best friend and former assistant, was apparently among those in her circle who knew about Dolly's struggles during the final years of her life.

According to Stella, Dolly didn't want her fans to worry about her before she was gone. "She did not want people sad," Stella explained. "She'd be really happy and delighted that people have shown her so much love because she knew that that would make us feel better as her family." She added, "Because, the bottom line, end of the day, her family and [her husband] Carl's family — and probably Judy's family — are the people that she would want to say, 'Well see, everything I did, they cared. ... They really loved me.'"

Dolly passed away at age 80 on August 25, as confirmed by her head of security and nephew, Bryan Seaver, on Instagram. It wasn't until after her passing that the tragic truth about Dolly's health issues was revealed to the public — including her cancer diagnosis. She reportedly died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville "surrounded by loved ones," including most likely Ogle (via Today). She and Ogle had a remarkable friendship that lasted many years.

Dolly Parton and her best friend, Judy Ogle, go way, way back. According to Dolly, they had known each other since they were kids growing up in Tennessee and remained super close ever since. "Our parents knew each other, we grew up together, we were like ­sisters, became best friends," the singer told The Sun in 2019. They were polar opposites, too. "She was very quiet, I was very outgoing," Dolly pointed out. "So we made perfect friends."

 Just weeks before her death, Dolly shared one final message to her best friend in a touching Instagram tribute in honor of National Best Friends Day in June. The beloved country music superstar expressed her appreciation to Ogle for being there for her through every step of her music career, including once working as her personal assistant. "She ... was there for anything I needed," said Dolly. "We had so many adventures and so many laughs — and I can't imagine my years on the road (or my life) — without her!"

Meanwhile, her sister, Stella Parton, opened up about Dolly's heartbreaking death in a previous statement on Facebook, where she reminisced about their weekly love of hot coffee (and hot gossip!), as sisters normally do. She spoke about Dolly's kindness and generosity, saying the country icon was willing to undergo experimental treatments during her last few days "in the hopes of helping others in the future." She also shared how much she will miss their weekly chats. "My Tuesday morning coffee time will never be the same but her love, respect and goodness will remain," said Stella.