The country music legend Dolly Parton’s younger sister Stella is speaking out to reveal how they have used humor to get through tough times in their lives.
Stella Sounds Off
Stella, 77, told People Magazine that she and Dolly, 80, have always stuck by one main Parton family rule when it comes to getting through difficult times.
“We just have to laugh and laugh at ourselves as much as we laugh at everybody else, because if you take it too serious, you can’t carry the load. Those are endorphins, just like exercise or sex or a good meal,” Stella said. “I think that is a family trait.”
Stella went on to say that she and Dolly like to talk on the phone to each other early in the morning, as they are both early risers. They call this their kaffeeklatsch, which is a German term used to describe an informal catch-up.
“I say, ‘This is Sissy. I’m here for our kaffeeklatsch.’ And so we talk and have our coffee,” Stella said. “She’s doing great. She’s very philosophical about everything as well, so we’re good. And if all else fails, we make a joke about it.”
Challenging Times For The Partons
Stella and Dolly have been leaning on one another as of late after a difficult few years. Indeed, their tough times included the deaths of their brothers David in 2024, Randy in 2021 and Floyd in 2018 (Their other siblings include Willadeene, 86, Coy, 82, Bobby, 78, Cassie, 75, Freida, 69, and Rachel, 66).
Dolly also lost her husband Carl Dean in March of 2025 after nearly sixty years of marriage. On top of that, Dolly herself has been facing various health challenges. Last month, she said in a video for her fans that she is “responding really well to meds and treatments” and is “improving every day.”
Stella went on to say that much of the sisters’ philosophy comes from their mother Avie Lee, who once shared a memorable mantra.
“I was exasperated with her and one of her behaviors and she said, ‘Now Stella, I’m just a little girl. I’ve just been here longer.’ In other words, give me a break. I’m not going to change now,” Stella recalled. “And so I think that’s kind of our family trait. We’re always going to be children. But isn’t everyone?”
Stella’s New Music
Stella is an accomplished singer in her own right. She’s preparing to release a covers album, Nostalgia, later this year. Stella is also currently hard at work in the studio on new music. This will be her first album in eight years, with her last one being her 2018 album Survivor. She decided to take a break largely because of her grief over the loved ones that she has lost.
“It was hard, but you just have to take a philosophical approach,” Stella concluded. “When you get the wind knocked out of your sails, you have to wait for a new gust of wind and take flight again. That’s all you can do.”
Stella and Dolly are two living legends, and there will never be others quite like them. We could all learn a lot from them when it comes to how they use humor to get through the challenging times in life.
God bless you both, Stella and Dolly Parton!