Legendary American singer-songwriter, actress, and country music icon, Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 80.
Parton died peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, according to reports. Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video message shared on social media.
Seaver, who said he was speaking on behalf of the Parton and Owens families, described the announcement as one Parton had asked him to make years earlier.
He said the family was experiencing profound sadness but took comfort in Parton’s Christian faith and the belief that she had been reunited with her late husband, Carl Dean, her parents and other loved ones.
Reflecting on her extraordinary career and influence, Seaver said Parton opened doors not only for members of her family but also for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers around the world.
“By her example, we believed that anything is possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open,” he said.
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, the music legend rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most celebrated and influential figures in country music.
Her decades-long career produced global hits including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5” and “Coat of Many Colors.” She sold more than 100 million records worldwide, won 11 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond music, Parton enjoyed a successful acting career, appearing in films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. She also became a prominent businesswoman and philanthropist, establishing the Dollywood entertainment destination and championing children’s literacy through her Imagination Library programme.
Parton was also widely recognised for her charitable work, including support for education, disaster relief and medical research.
Her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, died in March 2025.
In his emotional farewell, Seaver said the family and those entrusted with Parton’s legacy would work to ensure that her influence and spirit endure for generations.
“Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly — Aunt, Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
Parton’s death brings to an end an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades, leaving behind a musical and humanitarian legacy that touched millions of people around the world.
