Country music has lost one of its most beloved and recognizable stars.
Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing an end to an extraordinary career that stretched across nearly six decades and made her an icon far beyond country music.
Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death on August 25 in a video shared on behalf of the Parton and Owens family. Seaver, who also served as his aunt’s head of security for more than two decades, said Dolly had asked him years ago to be the person who would eventually make the announcement.
The news comes just four days after Parton spoke publicly about her health and made it clear that she was still looking toward the future.
Parton had been dealing with health issues following the March 2025 death of her husband, Carl Dean, whom she had been with for more than 60 years. Despite those struggles, she said she was still working and still had many things she wanted to achieve.
Her death closes one of the most remarkable chapters in American music history.
Born in Tennessee in 1946 as one of 12 children, Parton grew up with very little before moving to Nashville shortly after graduating high school. She eventually became one of the biggest country stars of all time.
Songs including Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You became classics, while her personality made her just as famous outside of music.
Her career also included major movie roles in 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Parton won 11 Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and sold more than 160 million albums worldwide.
Her impact stretched well beyond entertainment.
Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, millions of books have been provided to children, continuing a literacy mission inspired partly by her father, who could not read or write.
In announcing her death, Seaver reflected on the enormous impact his aunt had on both their family and generations of people who followed her career.
According to PEOPLE, Parton had spoken only days before her death about continuing to work despite her health struggles, saying she still had many dreams she wanted to bring to life.
For millions of fans who grew up hearing Dolly Parton on the radio, watching her movies or simply seeing her unmistakable personality on television, it is difficult to imagine country music without her.
Dolly Parton was 80 years old.
Follow us for more music and entertainment news.
