Willie Nelson Says He Had “No Idea” Dolly Parton Was Sick Before Her Death
Willie Nelson is opening up about the death of his longtime friend Dolly Parton, revealing that he had no idea how seriously ill she was when they last spoke.
During a recent interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, the country music legend reflected on Parton’s passing and their decades-long friendship.
Willie Nelson Says Dolly “Seemed Fine”
When Cooper asked Nelson whether he knew Dolly was sick, the 92-year-old country icon said he had no idea.
Nelson explained that he had spoken with Parton and even filmed an interview with her shortly before her death. According to him, she appeared to be doing fine at the time.
Dolly Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her health struggles had largely remained private.
“I had no idea,” Nelson said while remembering their final interaction.
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Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton Shared a Decades-Long Friendship
Nelson and Parton had been close friends since the 1960s, when both were working as songwriters in Nashville.
Over the decades, they became frequent collaborators and recorded several songs together.
Their collaborations included “Everything’s Beautiful (In Its Own Way),” “Happy, Happy Birthday Baby,” “From Here to the Moon and Back,” and “Pretty Paper.”
Following Parton’s death, Nelson paid tribute to his longtime friend by sharing a video of the two performing “Everything’s Beautiful (In Its Own Way).”
Willie Nelson Recorded “I Will Always Love You”
During the interview, Nelson also revealed an unexpected piece of news.
He recently recorded his own version of Dolly Parton’s legendary song “I Will Always Love You.”
The song was written by Parton decades ago as she prepared to leave Porter Wagoner’s television show and pursue her solo career.
Nelson described the song positively and called it a great song.
The revelation has left fans wondering whether his recording could appear on a future Willie Nelson project.
Remembering a Country Music Legend
Willie Nelson’s comments offer a glimpse into the private friendship he shared with Dolly Parton for more than six decades.
Although he did not know how seriously ill she was, his memories highlight the lasting bond between two of country music’s most influential artists.
Their music together remains part of the legacy they created throughout their extraordinary careers.
