Music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, passing away peacefully on 25 August in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.

The news was shared via an Instagram post by her nephew, Bryan Seaver. Seaver, who has served as her head of security for more than two decades, did not disclose a cause of death.

Parton's death follows recent discussions regarding her health. In an interview with People magazine on 21 August, she stated she had been dealing with health issues that she had not previously prioritised while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, during his final months. Dean died in March 2025.

In May 2026, Parton announced she had been struggling with kidney stones, noting that her immune and digestive systems had been affected over the previous three years. She also postponed her Las Vegas residency due to these health concerns.

Career and legacy

Parton had a seven-decade career, winning 11 Grammy Awards, 54 Grammy nominations, 10 Country Music Association Awards, and four American Music Awards. Her work included songwriting, film appearances in movies such as Steel Magnolias and Rhinestone, and entrepreneurship.

Her philanthropic efforts included:

• The founding of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which has donated over 300 million free books.
• The 1986 opening of the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
• The establishment of The Dollywood Foundation in 1988 to provide student scholarships.

Tributes were offered by various figures, including Kacey Musgraves, Khloe Kardashian, and Maren Morris.