Dolly Parton dead at 80

Legendary country singer and songwriter Dolly Parton has died. She was 80. 

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. 

Her nephew revealed the news in an Aug. 25 Instagram video. The news comes after Parton spent months battling an unknown health issue.

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“My name is Brin Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video. “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”

“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”

“I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent,” Seaver added in the video message. “By her example, we believed that anything is possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”

“My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you,” Seaver continued. “She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever. Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because, after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”

“Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly — Aunt, Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”

Born in 1946 in rural Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton grew up in a large, poor family in the Smoky Mountains. She began singing in church as a child, started writing songs at a young age and moved to Nashville after graduating high school to pursue music.

Her breakthrough came as a performer on “The Porter Wagoner Show,” where she became a fan favorite before forging a solo path that would establish her as one of country music’s most prolific and influential songwriters.

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“I’ll always be a country musician because I’m a country girl,” she told People in 1975. “My style is my soul and my feelings. I’ll tell the world in my songs what I wouldn’t have told my mother.”

Parton’s catalog included enduring hits such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Here You Come Again,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” The latter song became a global phenomenon again when Whitney Houston recorded it for 1992’s “The Bodyguard.”

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Parton made her feature film debut opposite Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in 1980’s “9 to 5.” Parton later appeared in films including “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Rhinestone,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Joyful Noise.”

Parton was also known for her decades-long marriage to Carl Dean, who largely stayed out of the public eye during their nearly 60 years together. Dean died in March 2025.

After Dean died at the age of 82, the “Jolene” singer explained why she couldn’t get herself to do what she loved: write songs. 

“I can’t afford the luxury of, you know, getting that emotional right now,” she said during an appearance on Khloé Kardashian’s podcast, “Khloé in Wonder Land.” “There are times like that, things like that, that will stall you a little bit. But I’ll write something else though, if it comes.”

“I’m just putting that all on hold,” Parton said. 

In November of that same year, the country music legend opened up about her impressive career spanning more than seven decades, got candid about the personal sacrifices she’s made throughout the years and explained why she feels like she’s “just getting started.”

“You know, I have just been going so fast my whole life,” Parton told People at the time. “And I just start thinking, ‘How in the world did I even have a life? How did I even get it done?’ I really realized when I was putting this book together just how much I had sacrificed in my life. I never had children, so at least I didn’t have a guilty feeling. I’m thankful that I got to see my dreams come true.”

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“People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what? Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started,” said Parton. “I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine… I think there’s a lot to be said about age. If you allow yourself to get old, you will. I say, ‘I ain’t got time to get old!’ I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about.”

Parton has battled various health issues over the past couple of years. 

In May, the country legend announced she was canceling her planned Las Vegas residency, which had already been postponed from 2025 to September 2026 because of health concerns.

Earlier this month, Parton missed a major Dollywood event per doctor’s orders. 

“I’m still in Nashville, and I’m sorry about that,” Parton told the crowd during a video appearance at the event, according to video shared by the Knoxville News Sentinel.

“I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned,” she continued. “Now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.”

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“And I’m dehydrated,” Parton, who appeared on-screen wearing fairy wings, told the crowd. “And, so, my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying, ‘You ain’t traveling this week.’”

Parton had previously discussed problems involving kidney stones, saying her immune and digestive systems had gotten “out of whack” and were being treated. 

Beyond her impressive career, Parton built a business empire centered in her home state of Tennessee. Dollywood became one of Tennessee’s most popular attractions, while her charitable work through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library left an equally lasting mark.

The Imagination Library, which sends free books to children from birth until kindergarten, was inspired by Parton’s father, who never learned to read or write. The program grew into an international literacy initiative and distributed millions of books to families around the world.

“With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit,” a representative from Dollywood said in a statement. 

“Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness—a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams.”

“Dolly’s enduring legacy extends beyond her music and generosity to her remarkable work ethic—an inspiration to people everywhere. In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — ‘the show must go on.’ Together, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope.”

At Parton’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. 

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In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.