Country music icon Dolly Parton reportedly had a very specific wish for her final moments, asking that family members and friends not see her while she was on her deathbed.
According to a report by TMZ, Parton did not want people to remember her in a fragile or dying condition. However, she reportedly made one exception, allowing her longtime wig and makeup artist, Cheryl Riddle, to be by her side.
Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her death was officially announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a message shared through her social media accounts.
Dolly Parton reportedly wanted to look her best
Sources familiar with the situation told TMZ that Parton did not want most of her loved ones to see her in her final condition.
The singer reportedly made an exception for Riddle because she knew her longtime beauty professional would eventually need to prepare her hair and makeup after her death.
Dolly Parton reportedly wanted to be properly made up before her funeral, particularly because she was going to have an open-casket service.
According to TMZ, Riddle was therefore the only person specifically allowed to see Parton at the time of her death so she could prepare her appearance.
The revelation has offered a glimpse into the singer’s personality and her well-known attention to glamour and presentation, even during her final moments.
Nephew Bryan Seaver also saw her before her death
Another person who reportedly saw Parton shortly before she died was her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who had served as her head of security.
Seaver reportedly visited his aunt the day before her death.
During that visit, Parton allegedly told him that she wanted him to be the person who announced her passing.
Seaver subsequently prepared and recorded the announcement at Parton’s studio. The emotional message was later shared on Parton’s social media following her death.
Parton’s official announcement described her as a singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author whose career spanned seven decades.
Family members reportedly kept away
While Parton’s nephew was able to visit her shortly before her death, TMZ reported that some of her siblings were prevented from seeing her during her final moments.
The report said Parton’s decision was consistent with her reported wish that people close to her would remember her as she was in life rather than seeing her in a weakened condition.
The details have attracted attention because Parton was known for maintaining a carefully crafted public image throughout her decades-long career.
Her glamorous appearance, distinctive wigs and elaborate makeup became part of her trademark style, making the reported decision to have Riddle prepare her after death particularly notable.
Dolly Parton’s private battle with cancer
Parton’s death came after a private health battle that was largely kept away from the public.
Her representatives confirmed that she died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer.
Earlier reports revealed that Parton had also secretly traveled to Germany for an experimental cancer treatment about a year before her death. TMZ reported that she spent about a week in Germany for the treatment, although the exact procedure and type of cancer she had were not publicly disclosed.
Dolly Parton had been hospitalized in Nashville shortly before her death, with TMZ reporting that she had been dealing with several health problems.
Despite the private health struggles, her death came as a shock to many fans and people close to her.
A final request that reflected her personality
Dolly Parton’s reported final wish has now become another detail surrounding the final chapter of her remarkable life.
Rather than allowing many people to see her in her final condition, she reportedly chose to control who was present and how she would be remembered.
Her longtime wig and makeup artist, Cheryl Riddle, was reportedly the one exception because Parton wanted her appearance prepared after death.
Dolly Parton was laid to rest following a private service, with her family honoring her wishes for a quiet farewell. Her official announcement asked fans and friends around the world to pay tribute to her through social media.
The singer leaves behind a legacy spanning music, film, television, business and philanthropy, with songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” remaining among her most recognizable works.
The strongest source to cite for the specific deathbed revelation is TMZ’s report on Dolly Parton’s final wish.
