Khloé Kardashian Recalls Dolly Parton’s Unapologetic Persona

Khloé Kardashian has shared insights from her July 2025 interview with country music legend Dolly Parton, describing the late singer as “angelic and majestic and positive.” The reality television personality noted that she admired how Parton embraced being “sort of like a caricature of herself” without apology.

Kardashian relates to Parton’s self-awareness

In remarks provided to People magazine, Kardashian explained that she found common ground with Parton due to their shared experience living in the public eye. She stated, “She’s in on the joke, and I always think me and my family are also in on the joke. So I really relate to that type of mentality.”

The 42-year-old emphasized respect for Parton’s authenticity, noting that the singer “just did what she loved to do, and it was harmless, and it was for her. And everyone respected it.” Kardashian added that this attitude represents how people should treat one another.

Final podcast appearance details

Kardashian revealed that her conversation with Parton may have been among the singer’s last podcast appearances. She traveled to Tennessee to record the episode, expressing gratitude for the opportunity. “I feel so blessed and fortunate that it happened. I can’t believe how lucky I am,” she said regarding the encounter.

Dolly Parton’s career legacy

Dolly Parton passed away at age 80 on Aug. 25, 2026. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death via a video posted on her official Instagram account. Representatives subsequently confirmed that the singer died following a brief battle with cancer.

Throughout her extensive career, Parton wrote nearly 3,000 songs, including major hits such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” She sold over 100 million records globally and accumulated approximately 3 billion streams.