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Dolly Parton, beloved country music legend, actress, author and philanthropist, has died. She was 80.
“Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old,” reads an official announcement on Tuesday (August 25). Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, shared a message from the family on the late legend’s Instagram account.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, to Evie Lee Parton and Robert Lee Parton in Sevier County, Tennessee. The “I Will Always Love You” artist was the fourth of 12 children in her family, growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains in the eastern region of the Volunteer State. Parton credited her uncle, Uncle Bill Owens, with helping her to pursue her career in the music business, though many family members played roles in her success, according to her bio.
Parton was only 12 years old when she appeared on Knoxville TV, and 13 when she began to record music at a small label and appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, per her bio on IMDb. Parton moved to Nashville to pursue her career in the country music industry after she graduated from high school in 1964, and went on to marry her husband, Carl Dean, on May 30, 1966. Dean died in March 2025. He was 82. Porter Wagoner gave Parton an opportunity to appear on The Porter Wagoner Showing 1967. The pair teamed up to perform legendary duets, and Parton launched her solo career in 1974 (though she continued to collaborate with many artists throughout her career).
Parton ultimately skyrocketed to international fame, releasing dozens of iconic hit songs throughout her decades-long career, including, to name a few: “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” “Islands In The Stream” (with Kenny Rogers), “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” (with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette) “9 To 5” and more. In November 2022, Parton compiled some of her biggest smash-hits on the Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection.
“Every one of these songs has a special memory behind it for me,” Parton said in a note to her fans at that time. “I hope that you make some special memories of your own while listening to them. Enjoy the ‘Diamonds & Rhinestones’ album. — Musically yours, Dolly.”
Parton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986, and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Parton became a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. That induction inspired Parton’s 2023 rock album, Rockstar, featuring collaborations with Sting, Steve Perry, Elton John, Ann Wilson, John Fogerty, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks and other classic rock icons.
9 To 5 was one of Parton’s most iconic movie roles, starring as Doralee Rhodes alongside Jane Fonda (Judy Bernly) and Lily Tomlin (Violet Newstead). The film focused on the “three female employees of a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot find a way to turn the tables on him,” reads its description on IMDb. A documentary, Still Working 9 to 5, released in 2022, delving into the 1980 movie’s impact and discussed women in the workplace more than four decades later. Parton released a reimagined version of “9 To 5,” making it a duet with Kelly Clarkson, to mark the documentary’s release.
Parton is also known for her well-known roles in Steel Magnolias (Truvy Jones), Christmas movies and more. She also made guest appearances on Reba McEntire’s early 2000s sitcom Reba (Dolly Majors), alongside goddaughter Miley Cyrus on Hannah Montana (Aunt Dolly) and others.
The legendary actress and country music superstar won tons of awards throughout her career, including from the Country Music Association, GRAMMY Awards, an Oscar nomination for “9 To 5” and more. She scored several Guinness World Records throughout her life, including the longest span of No. 1 hits on the U.S. top country albums chart (female), most studio albums released by a female country artist, and most Top 10 entries the U.S. Top Country Albums chart (female), according to Guinness World Records.
Parton was one of the richest self-made women in America, according to a previous Forbes report. And she always made it a priority to give back to others, particularly her home county in East Tennessee. Earlier this year, the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital took on a new name: the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. Parton founded Dollywood, a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in 1986. She also launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to help provide free books to children from birth through age 5, and instill a love of reading (Parton has published many books of her own, including Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, Run Rose Run with bestselling author James Patterson, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones and more, plus children’s books like Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out.). In 2022, Parton gave $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for pediatric infectious disease research. The donation followed her previous $1 million gift to Vanderbilt in April 2020, aiming to help combat COVID-19. Parton also received the Jeff Bezos Courage and Civility Award, awarded a $100 million grant. Parton pledged to “do my best to do good things with this money.” The East Tennessee-born legend donated $1 million to the Mountain Ways Foundation in 2024 to help with Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
Parton had shared updates on her “health issues” over the last year. In September 2025, Parton opened up about “a little problem,” explaining that a kidney stone had “given me an infection.” She assured fans when she addressed rumors online, “I’m OK. …I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was OK.” She’s since shared other statements about her health, including when she canceled her Las Vegas residency, when she missed a Dollywood event, and more.
Though she didn’t mention her health at the time, Parton accepted an award at the 19th Academy of Country Music Honors this month via pre-recorded video message. She said, in part, “a very special thank you,” and said “every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well they all started with a song.” Among other projects, Parton had been working on bringing her autobiographical musical to Broadway in New York City, and opening her SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. Parton opened a first-of-its-kind travel stop in Tennessee earlier this summer. It was one of her final public appearances.
The official announcement states that “Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000). …At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”