Dolly Parton, country music legend and cultural icon, has passed away. She was 80.
Brian Seaver, Parton’s nephew, confirmed her passing in a post on social media.
“My name is Brian Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” Seaver said in a video.
Her cause of death has not been disclosed.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it till now.”
Seaver added that Parton “lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by [her late husband] Carl, her parents, and countless others.”
Parton’s death comes after she called off a scheduled Las Vegas show in May, revealing she had been undergoing ongoing treatment for kidney stones.
“Lord, they dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee,” Parton said in a statement. “But seriously, my immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple of years. And they’re working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those, and hopefully, I’ll be up to snuff again soon.”
HOW DOLLY PARTON BECAME AN ICON
Renowned as the “Queen of Country,” Parton has composed over 3,000 songs. Her iconic tracks include”Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.” In her illustrious career, she earned 25 Billboard country No. 1 singles and sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Parton’s accolades include 11 Grammy Awards (alongside a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), nominations for two Academy Awards, and a 2025 honorary Oscar for her humanitarian efforts. She was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond her music, Parton transitioned into Hollywood as an actress. She starred in hit films like 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, and built a business empire anchored by the Dollywood theme park. Parton created profound societal impact through initiatives like her Imagination Library, which has gifted over 200 million free books to children worldwide.