Country music legend Dolly Parton dies at age 80

Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose career spanned nearly seven decades, has died at age 80, her family announced Tuesday. Her nephew Bryan Seaver, who served as her head of security for more than two decades, announced her death in a prerecorded video posted to her social media accounts.

"This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality," Seaver said in the announcement. "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."

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, according to her family. No cause of death was disclosed. She had been admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday morning with kidney and autoimmune issues, according to reports.

On Friday, just days before her death, Parton told People magazine that she had been "dealing with some health issues" that she "didn't pay attention to" while caring for her husband of six decades, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. She noted she had "been through hard times" with her health before but continued working on her various projects.

Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, she was the fourth of 12 children born into a poor farming family. She wrote her first song at around age six, titled "Little Tiny Tasseltop," an ode to her corncob doll. Her mother preserved the song in a shoebox. Parton's early life in poverty would later inspire her songwriting, including the 1971 classic "Coat of Many Colors."

Her professional career launched in 1967 with her debut album "Hello, I'm Dolly." Over the following decades, she became one of the most successful recording artists in history. She wrote more than 3,000 songs throughout her lifetime, many of which were recorded by other artists. Her most famous compositions include "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," and "9 to 5," the latter of which she also performed for the 1980 film of the same name, her acting debut.

Parton's achievements in music were substantial. She won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and earned 13 Academy of Country Music Awards. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide and achieved 25 number-one singles on country charts, with 47 albums reaching the top 10 of country charts.

Beyond her music career, Parton was known for her business ventures and philanthropy. She founded Dollywood, a theme park in Tennessee, and invested millions in various charitable causes. Through her Imagination Library literacy program, she donated more than 150 million books to children. She also invested in COVID-19 vaccine development.

In recent years, Parton's health had become a public concern. In October 2025, her sister Freida Parton posted on social media asking for prayers for her, though Dolly later assured fans she was not sick. In September 2025, Parton wrote on Instagram that she had been dealing with health challenges and that her doctors advised her to undergo procedures, though she did not specify their nature. She canceled a series of shows in Las Vegas earlier this year, citing ongoing treatment for health problems.

Parton was also known for her distinctive style, featuring massive blonde wigs, rhinestone-studded outfits, and a commanding stage presence. She was celebrated as a feminist icon, a champion of the LGBTQ+ community, and a representative of working-class values in the American South. In 2019, The New York Times published an article titled "Is There Anything We All Agree On? Yes: Dolly Parton," reflecting her broad cultural appeal across political and social divides.

Her acting career extended beyond "9 to 5." She appeared in numerous films and television productions and received two Golden Globe nominations. She also co-authored a novel with thriller writer James Patterson in 2022.

Parton's influence on popular culture extended across generations. She served as a mentor and godmother to singer Miley Cyrus during Cyrus's early career on the Disney series "Hannah Montana." Her songs have been covered by artists across multiple genres, transcending country music to reach pop, film, and international audiences.

Her nephew Seaver's announcement emphasized her legacy beyond music. "Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for a generation of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers of all kinds and across all continents," he said. "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."