Casablanca – Dolly Parton, the country music legend whose songwriting, distinctive voice, and larger-than-life personality made her one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world, has died at 80.
Parton died Tuesday, August 25, in Nashville, Tennessee, her family announced. Her nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, shared the news in a statement posted to Parton’s social media accounts. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
The news comes after Parton had been open about health problems in recent months. She postponed and later canceled a planned Las Vegas residency because of health concerns and had also missed public appearances, including an event at her Dollywood theme park.
In an interview published just four days before her death, Parton acknowledged that she had been going through a difficult period with her health. She had previously discussed a kidney stone infection and other health issues, but there is no indication that any particular condition was the cause of her death.
Born in rural Tennessee in 1946, Parton rose from poverty to become one of the biggest stars in country music, building a career that lasted more than six decades. She sold more than 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards, with classics including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Her songwriting also reached audiences far beyond country music, most famously when Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” became a global hit.
Parton also built a successful career in film and business, starring in movies including “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias,” and founding Dollywood in Tennessee.
Her philanthropic work became another defining part of her legacy, particularly through the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children. She also donated $1 million toward COVID-19 vaccine research.
Parton’s death comes about 17 months after the death of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025 after nearly 59 years of marriage. Her passing has prompted an immediate wave of tributes from fellow musicians, actors, and public figures, marking the loss of an artist whose influence extended well beyond country music.
