Dolly Parton dies aged 80

Dolly Parton, the legendary American country singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist whose career transformed her from a poor Tennessee upbringing into one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers, has died at the age of 80.

Parton’s family announced her death on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

Her nephew Bryan Seaver confirmed the news in a video message, describing the moment as deeply painful for the family while saying Parton had “lived in the light”. 

Her public relations team said she died peacefully in Nashville.

Born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children and grew up in a poor farming family. 

Music was part of her childhood, with her mother singing traditional songs and relatives encouraging her early interest in songwriting and guitar.

By the age of 13, Parton had performed at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, setting her on a path towards a career that would eventually span almost six decades. 

She released her debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, in 1967 and soon established herself as one of country music’s most prolific songwriters and performers.

Her catalogue included some of the most enduring songs in popular music, among them Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You. 

The latter became an international phenomenon after Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard soundtrack.

Parton wrote around 3,000 songs and sold more than 100 million records worldwide. 

Her achievements extended beyond music, with a successful film career that included 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, as well as business ventures including Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park she helped establish.

She was also widely recognised for her philanthropy. 

Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, she supported children’s literacy by providing free books to young children, while her charitable work extended to education, disaster relief and medical research. 

She donated $1 million to COVID-19 vaccine research, further strengthening her reputation as a philanthropist.

Parton received 10 Grammy Awards and numerous other honours during her career, while her influence extended across generations and beyond country music. 

Her combination of songwriting talent, humour, distinctive style and business ability made her a rare figure who could succeed in music, film, television and entrepreneurship.

Her final years were marked by health challenges. She postponed a Las Vegas residency and later withdrew from the planned performances as she focused on her health. 

Just days before her death, she had continued communicating with fans and speaking about her desire to remain creatively active.

Parton was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.

Her death marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in American popular culture.