Dolly Parton dies aged 80 after health battle
The country music icon passed away following recent health problems, ending a remarkable career spanning more than six decades.
Dolly Parton, the country music superstar whose songs including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You made her one of the most recognisable performers in American music, has died aged 80.
The singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist died on Tuesday (25.08.26) after experiencing a series of health problems that had forced her to cancel performances and appearances.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver announced her death on Dolly’s social media.
He said in a video that has shocked fans: “My name is Bryan 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.
“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 until now.
“It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.
“But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
The news came just days after Dolly spoke publicly about her health, saying she remained determined to work despite undergoing treatment.
Dolly had said that she neglected some of her own health problems while caring for her husband Carl Dean before his death aged 82 in March 2025, after almost 60 years of marriage.
Speaking to People days before her death, Dolly said: “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.”
Her recent health difficulties had included dizziness and dehydration, while she had previously discussed problems involving her immune and digestive systems.
Earlier this year she cancelled a six-show Las Vegas residency that had initially been scheduled for December 2025 before being postponed until September 2026.
In May, Dolly told fans she was responding well to medication and treatment but was not yet physically able to return to performing.
She said: “The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments and I’m improving every day.”
Dolly added: “And of course, I can’t be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars, and such on five-inch heels — and you know that I’m going to be wearing them.”
Dolly’s death came less than 18 months after Carl’s.
Following his death, she released If You Hadn’t Been There in his memory.
She had remained musically active into her final years. In 2025, Dolly joined Sabrina Carpenter, 27, for a new version of Please Please Please, which appeared on the deluxe edition of Sabrina’s album Short n’ Sweet.
The pair also appeared together in an accompanying music video.
Dolly’s career stretched back more than six decades. After establishing herself in Nashville, she became one of country music’s defining singer-songwriters, with Jolene, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You among the songs most closely associated with her.
I Will Always Love You later became a worldwide hit for Whitney Houston, who died aged 48 in 2012, after Whitney recorded it for The Bodyguard.
Dolly crossed decisively into mainstream pop culture with 9 to 5, written for the 1980 workplace comedy of the same name in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda, 88, and Lily Tomlin, 86.
The song topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and country chart and earned Dolly two Grammy awards and an Academy Award nomination.
Her acting career also included The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias.
Beyond music and film, Dolly created Dollywood in Tennessee and founded the Imagination Library, her literacy program that has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children.
She continued developing new projects during her health difficulties.
Days before her death, Dolly discussed plans for the Life of Many Colors Museum in downtown Nashville and the SongTeller Hotel, as well as her forthcoming Dolly: A True Original Musical. She had also been considering virtual avatar performances as touring became increasingly difficult.
Her final years also brought collaborations with a younger generation of stars. In January, Dolly released a new version of Light of a Clear Blue Morning featuring Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and David Foster.
Across her career, Dolly won 11 Grammy awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone placed her at No 27 on its list of the 200 greatest singers of all time.
The performer had spoken only days before her death about continuing to work despite her health problems, telling People: “Even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”
