Dolly Parton, the illustrious 11-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter renowned for timeless hits such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You,” has passed away at the age of 80.
The news of her passing was shared on her official social media accounts by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, on Tuesday. In a heartfelt video announcement, he expressed, “Today, I am representing the Parton and Owens family in announcing the loss of my beloved aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, affectionately known as Sister, Sis, and Granny to one generation, and Gigi to the next.”
Parton breathed her last in Nashville, Tennessee, though the cause of her death has yet to be disclosed.
For over a year, she had openly discussed her health challenges, initially revealing in September 2025 that she required “a few procedures.” This necessity led her to postpone a much-anticipated Las Vegas residency, which was ultimately canceled in May.
During the opening of Dollywood’s 2026 season in March, she candidly shared with fans that she had been feeling “worn down and worn out,” attributing her fatigue to both her health issues and the profound grief of losing her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82.
Beyond her musical achievements, Parton established a vast entertainment and hospitality empire, prominently featuring her Dollywood theme park, while also enjoying a successful career as an actress, producer, and playwright.
Her philanthropic endeavors were equally significant, particularly through the Dollywood Foundation, which is best known for its Imagination Library initiative. Since its inception in 1995, this program has provided nearly 308 million free books to children across the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and Australia.
Dolly Parton’s legacy endures through her remarkable seven-decade career and her cherished reputation as “Saint Dolly,” as lovingly referred to by her devoted fans.
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