Dolly Parton, the iconic country singer who passed away in August at the age of 80, reportedly allowed only one person to be by her side at the end of her life. According to sources, the "9 to 5" singer wanted only her longtime makeup and wig artist, Cheryl Riddle, to be present at her deathbed. Parton did not want her family and friends to see her in a weakened or vulnerable state. She also requested an open casket at her funeral and wanted to be made up by Riddle after her death. The Independent has reached out to a representative for Parton’s estate for further comment. Throughout her career, Parton was known for her glamorous appearance, including her signature peroxide wigs and bold makeup. She famously wore full makeup every night, even while sleeping. In her 2023 book, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestone, Parton shared that she had been sleeping in her makeup since the 1980s so she would always be ready to leave her home in case of an emergency. She also recalled using natural materials like pokeberries and plants to create her own makeup as a child. Parton's distinctive style became a recognizable and influential part of her public image, something no other musician has truly replicated. At the time of her death, she reportedly owned more than 350 wigs, a collection managed by Riddle. She also had over 2,000 pairs of shoes and a vast archive of sequined stage outfits spanning 50,000 square feet. Riddle, who worked with Parton for over 40 years, was also her hairstylist for several of her film projects, including her Christmas movies such as A Holly Dolly Christmas (2020) and Christmas at Home (1990). Parton was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville five days before her death due to "kidney and autoimmune issues." It was later revealed that she had passed away after a "brief battle with cancer," though the specific type of cancer was not disclosed. She was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where she was buried next to her husband, Carl Dean, who had passed away in March 2025.