Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80.
The singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist passed away in Nashville on August 25, 2026. Her death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who had also served as her head of security for more than two decades.
Parton’s representatives later confirmed that she died following a brief battle with cancer. The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed.
Born into a family of 12 children in rural Tennessee, Parton went on to become one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in music history.
Across a career spanning nearly seven decades, she wrote and recorded classics including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” the latter becoming a worldwide phenomenon again when Whitney Houston recorded her version in 1992.
Her influence reached far beyond country music. In 2022, Parton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the following year she embraced the genre with her star-studded rock album Rockstar.
But her legacy extended far beyond the stage.
Through initiatives including the Imagination Library, Parton became one of entertainment’s most recognizable philanthropists, helping provide books to children around the world.
Just days before her death, despite acknowledging ongoing health problems, Parton said she still had many things she wanted to accomplish and intended to continue working for as long as she could.
For generations of fans, Dolly Parton was more than a country singer. She was a songwriter, storyteller, entertainer and humanitarian whose personality became almost as iconic as her music.
The Queen of Country is gone, but the songs she left behind will continue to be heard for generations.
Rest in peace, Dolly Parton.
1946–2026. ❤️
