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Country music has lost one of its brightest stars. Legendary singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career that stretched across seven decades.
Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, following a brief battle with cancer. Her death was announced by her nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on her social media accounts. Her family said she was surrounded by loved ones.
A small private service for immediate family is planned, while further details about a public memorial have not been announced.
The news comes just days after Parton spoke about her health struggles in an interview with PEOPLE. She said she had been going through a difficult period with her health after spending considerable time caring for her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
Despite those challenges, Parton remained determined to keep working and entertaining her fans. She had postponed some appearances and previously put plans for a Las Vegas residency on hold, explaining that she wanted to return to the stage only when she could perform at the standard her audience expected.
Born on January 19, 1946, in rural Tennessee, Parton grew up in a large family with humble beginnings. From those modest roots, she went on to become one of the most influential figures in country music and one of America’s most recognisable entertainers.
Her songwriting produced timeless classics such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” The latter found another life on the global charts when Whitney Houston recorded it for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard.
Parton’s talents were not confined to music. She enjoyed a successful acting career, starring in films including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias. She also earned numerous major honours during her career, including 11 Grammy Awards.
But perhaps the most remarkable part of Parton’s legacy is what she did when the spotlight moved away from the stage.
Through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, she helped put books into the hands of millions of children. Her philanthropic efforts also supported education, disaster relief, medical research and other causes close to her heart.
She also helped build Dollywood into one of Tennessee’s most popular attractions, blending entertainment, business and her deep connection to the region where she was raised.
Parton’s career was therefore about much more than hit records and glittering costumes. She became a songwriter who told stories, a businesswoman who built an empire, an actress who crossed genres and a philanthropist who used her success to create opportunities for others.
Her influence reached generations of fans, from longtime country music lovers to younger audiences who discovered her through film, television and collaborations with some of the biggest names in entertainment.
As tributes pour in from around the world, Dolly Parton’s legacy is already proving larger than the stage she occupied for so many years. Her songs will continue to play, her stories will continue to inspire and her generosity will continue to touch lives.
The rhinestones may have gone quiet, but the Dolly Parton story is far from finished.
