Dolly Parton, the beloved and award-winning American country music legend, has died at the age of 80.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death on Parton’s Instagram on Monday, August 25, saying he was representing the Parton and Owens families in announcing the passing of his aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean.
No cause of death was disclosed.
Concerns about Parton’s health emerged in September 2025 after she postponed and later cancelled her Las Vegas residency. She subsequently reassured fans that she was doing well. On August 21, 2026, she told People that she was dealing with some health issues but remained committed to her work.
Parton built one of the most celebrated careers in country music, topping the Billboard country charts with 25 songs and winning 11 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards and four People’s Choice Awards.
She was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Born in 1946 in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children. She began performing in church at six, taught herself to play guitar at seven and received her first real guitar at eight. At 13, she performed at the Grand Ole Opry.
After graduating from high school in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville, where she began building the career that would eventually make her a global star. Her breakthrough came through her appearances on The Porter Wagoner Show, which helped propel her to national prominence.
She went on to achieve major success as a solo artist with songs including Joshua, Coat of Many Colors, Touch Your Woman and Jolene. She also wrote I Will Always Love You, which became a worldwide hit after Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
ALSO READ: Nollywood Mourns as Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan Buried
Parton successfully crossed from country music into pop, scoring major hits including 9 to 5 and Islands in the Stream. Her 1980 film role in 9 to 5, alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, further established her as an entertainment star.
Beyond music, Parton was a successful actress, producer, businesswoman, philanthropist and theme-park owner. She founded Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and developed several businesses around her hometown.
Through the Dollywood Foundation, she became widely recognised for her philanthropic work, particularly in promoting childhood literacy. Her Imagination Library provides books to enrolled children, while she also supported organisations including the American Red Cross and HIV/AIDS charities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Parton donated $1 million to research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, supporting early research connected to the Moderna vaccine.
She was also known for advocating acceptance and equality and became an important LGBTQ+ ally. Parton was the godmother of pop star Miley Cyrus and remained active in music and entertainment well into her later years.
Her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82. The couple had been married for nearly 59 years.
Throughout her decades-long career, Parton remained a celebrated singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose influence extended far beyond country music. Her music, generosity and larger-than-life personality touched generations of fans around the world.
