Dolly Parton Dead? Internet Rumors Run Wild

Rumors of Dolly Parton's Death Eerily Similar to Those Preceding Bernie Mac's Death

Angie Mohr CA CMA
Angie Mohr CA CMA, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Aug 25, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
The internet is abuzz this morning with stories of Dolly Parton's death. According to several articles and blogs, Dolly Parton's death occurred due to congestive heart failure. Although the reports are frequently attributed to Fox News, Fox's website does not relay that information. If Dolly Parton's death is indeed true, we should expect a formal statement from her publicist shortly. There is no reason to cover up an event of this magnitude. If, as is more likely, the rumors are just that, an official statement will most likely be made and a personal appearance by Dolly Parton should be expected. Parton was most recently seen in public on August 8th performing at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. She appeared in perfect health at that time.

Earlier this morning, Dolly Parton's public relations agent, Pete Owens announced unofficially that Parton was alive and well. Owens has been inundated with requests for comment and believes that the rumors started when a local football team erroneously announced Parton's death during a football game. According to Owens, Dolly Parton has declined to make an official statement.

Although it is likely that the rumors surrounding Dolly Parton's death are not true, the details are eerily similar to the rumors surrounding the health and death of Bernie Mac. For three weeks prior to Mac's actual death on August 9th from complications of pneumonia, internet reports abounded speculating that Bernie Mac had died. Up until the date of his death, Bernie Mac's publicist maintained that his health issues were minor and that a full recovery was expected. Dolly Parton has had no publicly reported recent illnesses or hospital stays that would lead to a similar conclusion.

If the rumors of Dolly Parton's death are not true, I can imagine what Dolly Parton feels seeing reports of her death. It would be a frightening harbinger, knowing that someday it will in fact be true. I know that being faced with the possibility of one's imminent death causes people to re-evaluate their life. I certainly hope that Dolly Parton is alive and well and laughs off the rumors of her early demise.

Sources:
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=62630&provider=rss

Published by Angie Mohr CA CMA - Featured Contributor in Finance and Lifestyle

Angie Mohr is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Accountant who has worked with thousands of business clients from home-based entrepreneurs to rock bands to celebrity chefs. She is also the auth...   View profile

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  • Cindy Lynn 7/20/2011

    Interesting info, thanks for posting it. I hadn't heard the rumors, but it's hard to ferret out the truth any more, too.

  • Terry George of Ohio 11/26/2008

    I pray they are wrong. Dolly is a wonderful singer and performer. she would be very much missed. I would Love ,To here Her sing in person.

  • Marilyn K. Smith 9/7/2008

    Most news isn't news. Most of it we've heard for weeks and it's touted as "Breaking news!" Some stations try the old, "Ten years ago today..." stuff. It's hillarious when they do the New Years resolution bit or the "Kids are headed back to school" stuff, as if they don't head back to school every year. Another pet peeve of mine is a joking weather person. What is so funny about weather? Just give me the facts and go! I like serious people when it comes to weather and news.

  • Pigeon Forge Native 8/27/2008

    I know several of Dolly's family members.
    I find it odd that they have all been out of town for a week with no one knowing where they went.

  • Michael Segers 8/27/2008

    Let this be a warning to all the people who forward all that email garbage without checking the facts. Think how many emails we would NOT be getting about Barack Obama (whether you like him or not) if people would commit not to spreading something until they know whether it is true.

  • Carol Bengle Gilbert 8/25/2008

    Dolly is one person who probably could laugh this off, but many people would be horrified to find that they had been reported to be dead.

  • jcorn 8/25/2008

    Has she made a statement yet? After what happened with Bernie Mac (and I confess I thought the rumors were going to turn out to be way off the mark) I don't know what to think. Thanks for the information.

  • Agnes Farside 8/25/2008

    If people don't like the news, they start rumors...good write up.

  • Sylvia Cochran 8/25/2008

    Can you imagine logging on to the 'Net in the morning and reading your own obit well ahead of schedule? This must make the celebs feels quite odd. Good reporting on this!!

  • Kerry 8/25/2008

    Wow, I hope these are false stories. Thanks Angie, I'm going to see what I can find out about this now. Great job.

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