Dolly Parton's health struggles have brought attention to a crisis faced by millions of caregivers. Parton had shared with her followers that when her husband Carl was ill, she neglected her own care. Carl Dean passed away in March 2025 after a long illness, though the specific condition was not disclosed. Parton recently passed away due to a cancer that she had not publicly discussed, following a couple of years of health issues including kidney stones.

Further details about Parton's health and her experiences as a caregiver are available from the source.