Country music legend Dolly Parton, the singer-songwriter behind global hits including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, has died at the age of 80.
Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, her family announced. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, made the announcement in a video posted on Parton’s official social media accounts.
Seaver said he was representing the Parton and Owens families in announcing the passing of his aunt, describing the moment as one filled with both pride and profound sadness.
The family did not initially disclose a cause of death. However, subsequent reports citing her representatives said Parton had experienced a brief battle with cancer.
A seven-decade career
Parton rose from humble beginnings in rural Tennessee to become one of the most influential and recognisable figures in country music.
Her career spanned about seven decades and produced some of the most enduring songs in popular music, including Jolene, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You. She won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Beyond music, Parton established herself as an actress, author, producer and businesswoman. She built the Dollywood entertainment empire and became widely admired for her philanthropy.
A legacy of giving
One of her most significant charitable initiatives was the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, which provides free books to children.
The programme has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children in several countries since its launch in 1995, making literacy and childhood education a central part of Parton’s philanthropic legacy.
Parton had also spoken publicly about health challenges in recent years. She postponed and later cancelled a planned Las Vegas residency after undergoing medical procedures, while also dealing with the death of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025 after nearly six decades of marriage.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow entertainers and public figures across the United States and beyond.
Dolly Parton leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose music and generosity touched generations around the world.
Her family has shared the words “I will always love you” as a final message associated with her passing—a fitting farewell for an artist whose songs became part of the soundtrack of millions of lives.
