NASHVILLE – Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose larger-than-life personality, timeless songs, and boundless generosity made her one of America’s most beloved entertainers, has passed away. She was 80.
Parton died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville, according to a family statement. A cause of death was not immediately released.“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,” her nephew said in a video announcement. He noted that Dolly had asked him years earlier to handle such an announcement and described the weight of the moment after serving as her head of security for more than two decades.
From humble beginnings in a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to global superstardom, Parton built a nearly seven-decade career that spanned music, film, television, business, and philanthropy.
Hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Coat of Many Colors” became cultural touchstones. She sold more than 100 million records, won 11 Grammy Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Award), and earned inductions into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond the stage, Parton created Dollywood, launched the Imagination Library that has provided free books to millions of children, and became known for her sharp business sense, humor, and unwavering kindness. She never forgot her roots and often spoke of her faith and the people who shaped her.
Her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025. In recent months, Parton had publicly discussed health challenges that forced her to cancel appearances and a Las Vegas residency, while insisting she was “still healin’” and “still workin’.”
“Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others,” her nephew said in the family video.
Parton leaves behind a legacy that transcended genres and generations. Fans, fellow artists, and people around the world are mourning the loss of a true American original.
Rest in peace, Dolly.
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