Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing to a close one of the most celebrated careers in American entertainment.
Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, announced her death Tuesday in an Instagram video on behalf of the Parton and Owens families. Parton had previously asked Seaver, who served as her head of security for more than two decades, to make the announcement when the time came.
Seaver said the family was experiencing profound sadness but expressed his belief that Parton had been reunited with her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, and other family members.
The announcement came just four days after Parton publicly discussed ongoing health problems while insisting she still had significant work she hoped to accomplish.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton told PEOPLE on Friday.
Despite those struggles, the singer said she remained committed to her career.
“I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life,” she said.
Parton became the best-selling female country music artist of all time, selling more than 160 million albums worldwide. Her career began with her 1967 debut album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” before producing classics including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Born in Tennessee in 1946 as one of 12 children, Parton grew up in a poor family before moving to Nashville after graduating from high school in 1964. Her breakthrough came after country star Porter Wagoner brought her onto “The Porter Wagoner Show.”
Parton later expanded well beyond country music.
She made her film debut alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 comedy “9 to 5,” with its title track reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. She also appeared in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Rhinestone,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Joyful Noise.”
Her honors included 11 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, seven Academy of Country Music Awards, three American Music Awards and two Academy Award nominations. According to People Magazine, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Outside entertainment, Parton became known for philanthropy through initiatives including her Imagination Library, which provides free books to young children.
Her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, died in March 2025.
Parton had continued discussing future ambitions even in her later years.
“I just hope I live long enough to do more things,” she once said. “I wake up with new dreams all the time.”
