Dolly Parton, the country music legend whose career transformed her from a Tennessee songwriter into one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers, has died at 80.
Parton died Tuesday, August 25, in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer, according to a statement from her publicist. She died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones. The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed.
The announcement came from her nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, who shared the news in a video posted to social media. Seaver said the announcement was something Parton had asked him to make years earlier.
Parton’s death follows months of increasing concern about her health. In an interview with PEOPLE just days before her death, she acknowledged that she had been dealing with health problems and said she had previously put some of those issues aside while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean.
She had also canceled or postponed several appearances and performances as she dealt with health setbacks. Earlier this month, she canceled a scheduled Dollywood appearance after her doctor advised her not to travel because of dehydration and occasional dizziness.
Parton’s personal life had also changed dramatically in the months before her death. Dean, her husband of nearly six decades, died in March 2025. The couple did not have children.
But even after more than six decades in the spotlight, Parton’s professional legacy remained enormous.
She became one of the most successful artists in music history through songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her career eventually stretched far beyond country music, with major roles in films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
Parton also built an extraordinary philanthropic legacy. Her Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library grew into a global literacy initiative, distributing hundreds of millions of books to children. Her charitable work also extended to medical research and other causes.
From her humble Tennessee beginnings to worldwide superstardom, Parton became something much bigger than a country singer. She was a songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist whose influence crossed generations and genres.
Dolly Parton leaves behind a body of work that made her one of the most enduring figures in American entertainment — and a legacy that extends far beyond the stage.