Dolly Parton, Legendary Country Music Icon, Dies at 80

Dolly Parton, the beloved and award-winning American country music legend, has died at the age of 80.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced the news on Parton’s Instagram on August 25, saying he was representing the Parton and Owens family in announcing the passing of his aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean.

No cause of death was given.
Concerns about Parton’s health emerged in September 2025 after she postponed and later cancelled her Las Vegas residency. She later reassured fans that she was doing well. On August 21, 2026, she told People that she was dealing with some health issues but remained committed to her work.
Parton built one of the most celebrated careers in country music. She topped the Billboard country music charts with 25 songs and won 11 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards and four People’s Choice Awards. She was also inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Born in 1946 in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children. She began performing in church at the age of six, taught herself to play guitar at seven and received her first real guitar at eight. At 13, she performed at the Grand Ole Opry.
After graduating from high school in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville, where she began building the career that would eventually make her a global star. Her breakthrough came through her work on The Porter Wagoner Show, which helped propel her to national prominence.
Parton achieved major success as a solo artist with songs including “Joshua,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Touch Your Woman” and “Jolene.” She also wrote “I Will Always Love You,” which later became a worldwide hit after Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
She successfully crossed from country music into pop, scoring major hits including “9 to 5” and “Islands in the Stream.” Her 1980 film role in 9 to 5, alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, further established her as an entertainment star.
Beyond music, Parton was a successful businesswoman, actress, producer, philanthropist and theme-park owner. She founded Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and developed other businesses around her hometown.
Through the Dollywood Foundation, she also became widely known for her philanthropic work, particularly literacy. Her Imagination Library provides books to enrolled children, while she also supported organisations including the American Red Cross and HIV/AIDS charities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Parton donated $1 million to research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, supporting early work connected to the Moderna vaccine.
Parton was also known for advocating acceptance and equality and became an important LGBTQ+ ally. She was the godmother of pop star Miley Cyrus and remained active in music and entertainment well into her later years.
Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82. The couple had been married for nearly 59 years.
Throughout her decades-long career, Dolly Parton remained a celebrated singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose influence extended far beyond country music. Her work and legacy touched generations of fans around the world.