American country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing to an end one of the most remarkable careers in the history of music and entertainment. Parton died in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, August 25, according to her publicist. Her nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, also announced her death in an emotional video shared on social media. Seaver said the announcement was something Parton had asked him to make years earlier, acknowledging the difficulty of delivering the news.
«“I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” Seaver said.
“It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.” He added that the sadness belonged to those left behind, saying Parton had “lived in the light” and was now in the arms of Jesus.
No official cause of death has been released. However, Parton had been dealing with a series of health challenges over the past year. Her health concerns became particularly public after she postponed and eventually cancelled a planned Las Vegas residency.
In May 2026, Parton officially cancelled her six-show “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas” residency, which had already been postponed from its original December 2025 dates. She explained that ongoing treatment and medication had left her unable to rehearse and perform at the standard she expected of herself. Parton had previously spoken about problems involving kidney stones, an infection and imbalances affecting her immune and digestive systems. She said the conditions were treatable and continued working while receiving treatment.
Her final health update came days before her death. Remarkably, just four days before her death, Parton spoke publicly about her health and her determination to continue working. In an August 21 statement to PEOPLE, she acknowledged that she had been dealing with health problems that she had previously neglected while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
Despite her condition, Parton remained optimistic about her future projects. She said she was still healing but remained committed to completing the projects she had been working on. Her final public message therefore came just days before the announcement of her death.
Parton’s final known public appearance came on June 24, 2026, when she made a surprise appearance at the opening of Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee. Dressed in her trademark glamorous style, she participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and spoke to the crowd. The appearance came as she continued to limit public engagements because of her health.
Born on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, Parton rose from poverty in the Smoky Mountains to become one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers. She began performing professionally as a child before moving to Nashville and establishing herself as a songwriter and singer. Her career gained major momentum through her association with Porter Wagoner, before she successfully established herself as a solo artist. Over the decades, Parton became famous for her distinctive voice, songwriting ability, flamboyant appearance and remarkable business instincts.
Parton’s influence extended far beyond country music. She became a successful actress, starring in films including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias. Her performance in 9 to 5 also produced one of her most successful songs and helped establish her as a crossover entertainer capable of reaching audiences beyond country music.
Her career ultimately stretched across music, film, television, publishing, business and theatre. A powerful businesswoman and philanthropist. Parton was also celebrated for building a business empire alongside her entertainment career. She became closely associated with Dollywood, the theme park in Tennessee, while also establishing charitable initiatives that reached millions of children.
Her Imagination Library became one of her most significant philanthropic legacies, providing books to children. She was also involved in medical research, education and disaster relief. In 2020, Parton made a $1 million donation that supported research connected to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Parton’s death comes about 17 months after the death of her husband, Carl Dean. Dean died in March 2025 after nearly six decades of marriage to Parton. The couple had maintained an unusually private relationship despite Parton’s enormous international fame. Following Dean’s death, Parton spoke openly about grief and the difficulty of adjusting to life without her longtime partner. She also channeled some of that grief into music and continued working on projects connected to her life story.
Even while dealing with her health challenges, Parton remained involved in a major theatrical project based on her life. “Dolly: A True Original Musical”, a Broadway production inspired by her life and career, is still expected to open later in 2026. The musical is expected to explore her extraordinary journey from rural Tennessee poverty to international fame and business success.
Dolly Parton’s influence extended across generations and geographical boundaries. She was not simply a country singer. She was a songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, philanthropist and cultural figure whose career lasted for seven decades. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide and wrote hundreds of songs, many of which became enduring standards. Her achievements included multiple Grammy Awards and inductions into major music halls of fame, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her distinctive voice, humor, songwriting and generosity made her one of the rare entertainers whose appeal crossed generations, genres and national borders.
News of Parton’s death is expected to trigger an outpouring of tributes from musicians, actors, political leaders and fans around the world. For generations of music lovers, Parton’s songs became part of the soundtrack of everyday life, while her story of rising from humble beginnings to global superstardom became an example of determination and self-belief. She leaves behind a catalogue of music that is likely to remain influential for generations. Dolly Parton was 80.
May she rest in peace.
