Country music star and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer in Nashville, Tennessee, her team announced on Tuesday.
In a statement provided to People magazine, her team confirmed that the singer-songwriter and actress passed away surrounded by her loved ones at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.
The statement did not specify the exact type of cancer Parton was suffering from, but confirmed her death at the specialized medical facility. Her team said she dedicated her life and career to bringing joy, laughter, hope, and integrity to everything she touched, adding that her unmatched generosity reached countless people around the world.
Her team noted that her unconditional love was the driving force behind her legacy, citing the hundreds of millions of books donated through her Imagination Library literacy program and her financial backing for research that helped produce a life-saving vaccine used globally.
Hospitalization and recent health struggles
Parton was admitted to the hospital in Nashville on Friday, August 21, and died four days later. According to TMZ magazine, she was hospitalized for kidney and autoimmune issues.
On the day of her death, Parton had acknowledged in an interview with People magazine that she was facing complicated health moments, though she insisted she still had many things left to accomplish. She explained that she was dealing with health problems she had neglected while caring for her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
Concerns over her health had been growing since September 2025, when Parton announced the postponement of a series of concerts scheduled for December at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The performances were eventually cancelled several months later.
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Her health struggles also prevented her from attending the Governors Awards ceremony hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where she was honored with an honorary Oscar. Parton accepted the prestigious award via a pre-recorded video message.
Family confirmation and tributes
The singer's nephew, Bryan Seaver, was the first family member to confirm her death through a video message posted on Parton's official Instagram account. Seaver, who is the son of her sister Cassie Parton and serves as the singer's head of security, spoke on behalf of the family in accordance with Parton's personal request regarding how her passing should be announced.
In the video message, Seaver expressed that taking on the task was an honor mixed with absolute pride and deep sadness. He added that the sorrow belonged to the family rather than to Parton herself, saying she had lived in the light and was now in the arms of Jesus, reunited with her husband Carl, her parents, and many others who loved her.
A lasting musical and philanthropic legacy
Widely regarded as one of the most influential country music artists in history, Parton earned 11 Grammy Awards across her career. Beyond her chart-topping hits such as Jolene and her work in film, she was also known as a successful businesswoman and dedicated philanthropist.
