Country singer, actress and entrepreneur Dolly Parton has died. She was 80.
An official announcement from Parton’s team memorized her with the following statement: “Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer,songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old. Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942–2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923–2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921–2000). A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact. At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com.”
Parton’s nephew and head of security Bryan Seaver confirmed the news in a video statement which explained:
My name is Bryan 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. 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 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 for her to meet them in the heavens. I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the 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. By her example, we believed that anything was 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. 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 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.
“Dolly Parton’s legacy is not celebrity, but humanity,” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement. "She was a champion of equality and literacy. She was a picture of dignity, even when dressed outrageously. Anyone who seeks to be more like Dolly is on the right track, but they’ll never get to the finish line. She came from poverty to become the most important native of Tennessee. She shared her fortunes for the good of all of us and shared her soul in every note she sang.”
Known as the Queen of Country, Parton released over 50 albums during the past 60 years and appeared in films like 1980’s 9 to 5 and 1989’s Steel Magnolias. She achieved EGOT status during her storied career, earning 11 Grammys, three Emmys, an Oscar, a Tony, six Golden Globes and a Tony Award. A true humanitarian, she helped countless people through her Dollywood Foundation and literacy program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She was also an avid supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and helped fund the early stages of development of the Moderna vaccine during the global pandemic.
Parton’s husband Carl Thomas Dean, her partner for nearly six decades, passed away in March of 2025. That fall she pushed off her planned return to the stage for a six-show December residency at Las Vegas’Caesars Palace due to death issues. The run was originally postponed until September of 2026 but ultimately cancelled earlier this month. She also cancelled a planned appearance at her Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee due to “dehydration and dizziness.” Her last known public performance took place in March of 2025, when she sang “Celebrate the Dreamer In You” during Dollywood’s 2025 Opening Day Media Event commemorating the park’s 40th anniversary.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton recently told People. “You know, this isn't the first time I've had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it's not like I haven't been through hard times with my health. But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I'm still healin’, I'm still workin’! You know me—as I’ve often said—I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”
Her cause of death has not yet been revealed.
