Dolly Parton, the Tennessee girl who turned a childhood shaped by poverty into a career spanning country music, Hollywood and philanthropy, has died at the age of 80, her family announced Tuesday.
Parton, who became known around the world as the “Queen of Country” music, died after more than six decades in the spotlight. Her family did not disclose the cause of death.
The announcement was reportedly made by her nephew, Brian Seaver, in a video shared on Parton’s Instagram account.
“My name is Brian Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” Seaver said in a video.
Seaver said the responsibility of announcing Parton’s death was one she had discussed with him years earlier, long before he could imagine having to carry it out.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it til now,” he added.
He described Parton as a woman of faith who remained surrounded by family even in death.
Seaver added that Dolly “lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by (her late husband) Carl, her parents, and countless others.”
“Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly — Aunt, Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you,” Seaver said at the end of the lengthy video statement.
Parton’s death follows a period in which she had spoken publicly about her health and the emotional toll of losing her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
In May 2026, she unexpectedly canceled a scheduled Las Vegas performance and revealed that she had been dealing with kidney stones for several years.
“Lord, they dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee,” Parton said in a statement. “But seriously, my immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple three years, and they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those and hopefully I’ll be up to snuff again soon.”
Just days before her death, Parton reflected on the changes in her life since Dean’s passing but made it clear that retirement was not part of her plans.
“Even though I’m still healin,’” Parton told People. “I’m still workin’! You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner, and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”
That determination had defined much of Parton’s remarkable career.
Over more than 60 years, she sold more than 100 million records and collected 11 Grammy Awards, establishing herself among the most successful recording artists in music history. Her songwriting also produced enduring hits that extended far beyond the country audience.
But Parton’s appeal was never confined to music. She successfully crossed into film, winning over a wider audience with her warmth, humor and unmistakable Southern persona.
She starred in films including “9 to 5,” for which she also wrote and performed the theme song, “Steel Magnolias” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
Her appearance became as recognizable as her voice. With her towering blonde hairstyles, elaborate outfits and carefully maintained makeup, Parton turned her image into part of her brand while refusing to take herself too seriously.
Questions about her famous hourglass figure and augmented breasts were often met with the self-deprecating humor that became one of her trademarks.
“It costs a lot of money to look this cheap,” Parton once said.
For generations of fans, that wit, alongside her music and unmistakable personality, helped make Parton more than a country star. She became an enduring American cultural figure whose influence reached far beyond the stage.
