Country music icon Dolly Parton has reportedly died at the age of 80, bringing an end to the life and career of one of the most influential figures in American music.
The announcement was made by her nephew, Brian Seaver, in a video shared on Parton’s Instagram page on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Seaver described the moment as deeply emotional, expressing both pride in Parton’s extraordinary life and sadness over her passing.
“I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” he said. “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.”
Watch the video below:
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From Humble Beginnings to Global Stardom
Parton was born into a poor family in rural Tennessee and was the fourth of 12 children. Her upbringing strongly influenced her music, with songs such as Coat of Many Colors drawing inspiration from her childhood experiences.
She began performing at a young age and appeared at the Grand Ole Opry at just 13 after being introduced by Johnny Cash.
After moving to Nashville following high school, Parton established herself as a songwriter before launching her recording career.
Music and Hollywood Success
Her career produced numerous iconic songs, including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You. The latter became an international phenomenon after Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard soundtrack.
Parton also enjoyed success as an actress, appearing in films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
Across her career, she earned 10 Grammy Awards, 25 US country No. 1 singles and 47 Top 10 country albums.
A Legacy Beyond Music
Beyond entertainment, Parton was widely celebrated for her philanthropy. Her Imagination Library literacy programme has distributed more than 150 million books to children around the world.
She was married to Carl Dean from 1966 until his death in 2025.
Remembered for her humour as well as her talent, Parton once famously joked about her appearance: “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.”
She was 80.
