The world is mourning the death of Dolly Parton, the legendary American singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, who has died at the age of 80.
Parton died on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, with her family confirming the news through her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video message shared on her social media accounts. Her publicist said she died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee. A cause of death has not yet been officially disclosed.
Her death brings to an end an extraordinary career spanning nearly six decades, during which Parton became one of the most recognisable and influential figures in country music.
From poverty to global superstardom
Born in Tennessee in 1946 as one of 12 children, Parton grew up in poverty before using her songwriting and unmistakable voice to build an international career.
She moved to Nashville after finishing high school and eventually found her breakthrough alongside country star Porter Wagoner.
Parton went on to produce a remarkable catalogue of music, including classics such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”
The latter became an even bigger global phenomenon when Whitney Houston recorded her own version for The Bodyguard in 1992.
Parton achieved 25 No. 1 singles on the US country charts and 47 country Top 10 albums during her career.
Success beyond music
Her talents stretched far beyond recording studios.
Parton became a successful actress, starring in films including 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
She accumulated 11 Grammy Awards, numerous other music honours and was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Her philanthropy became almost as famous as her music. Through the Imagination Library, Parton helped provide books to children around the world, with the programme distributing hundreds of millions of books over its history.
Health struggles and loss of her husband
Parton’s death comes about 17 months after the death of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, in March 2025.
The couple married in 1966 and remained together until his death.
Parton had also experienced health problems over the past year. Just four days before her death, she publicly acknowledged that she had been dealing with health issues, some of which she said she had neglected while caring for Dean. Despite her health struggles, she insisted that she still wanted to continue working and had many things she hoped to accomplish.
Her family remembered her as someone whose influence stretched far beyond those closest to her.
“She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history,” Seaver said.
From a childhood of poverty in rural Tennessee to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, Dolly Parton leaves behind a musical and humanitarian legacy that reached generations across the globe.
She was 80 years old.
