Freida Parton Pays Emotional Tribute to 'Dolly Momma'

Four days after the death of country music legend Dolly Parton at age 80, her younger sister Freida Parton has shared an emotional tribute, describing the superstar as an irreplaceable presence in her life. In a Facebook post, Freida, 69, thanked well-wishers for their support during the family's time of mourning.

Freida acknowledged that while the world knew Dolly as a global icon, her personal memory is of a caring older sibling. "I know to the entire world, she was a superstar, but to me, she was my Dolly Momma," she wrote. Freida recalled that Dolly stepped in as a mother figure during her teenage years, raising her from age 13 to 18.

She also shared intimate childhood memories, including how the sisters would climb into bed together because they were both afraid of the dark. Freida fondly remembered Dolly's playful side, noting that the singer once tried to get her to wear wigs during shows at Dollywood.

Acknowledging their occasional disagreements, Freida emphasized that their bond remained unbroken. "Even through all the highs and lows, and all the laughter and tears, I never stopped loving her," she wrote. She asked fans to keep the family in their prayers as they navigate what she called an "insurmountable loss."

Freida said she plans to honor her sister's legacy by continuing to share love with others. She revealed she is working on a special project in Dolly's memory, which she described as a way to keep a part of her "Dolly Momma" close while sharing it with fans.

Dolly Parton, one of 12 children born in Tennessee, died following a brief battle with cancer. Her career spanned decades, making her the best-selling female country artist of all time with over 160 million albums sold. Known for hits like "I Will Always Love You," "9 to 5," and "Jolene," she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and won her final Grammy in 2021.