NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Dolly Parton, the singer, songwriter and actress who rose from poverty in the Great Smoky Mountains to become one of the most beloved figures in American music, died Tuesday. She was 80.
Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, announced her death in a video posted to her Instagram account. He did not disclose a cause of death. Seaver, who has served as her head of security, said the announcement was something Parton had asked him to prepare years in advance.
Parton had spoken publicly in recent months about ongoing health issues. In September 2025, she wrote on Instagram that she was facing health challenges requiring “a few procedures” without elaborating. At Dollywood’s seasonal opening this year, she said she was continuing to recover from “a few little health issues,” including dizziness and dehydration. She had also been open about grieving the March 2025 death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean. Ten days before her death, she canceled a scheduled Dollywood appearance on her doctor’s advice.
Born Jan. 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children in a family she often described as “dirt poor.” She began singing in church and made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry at 13. The day after graduating high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville, where she built a career as a songwriter before emerging as a solo star. She wrote “I Will Always Love You” in 1974 after leaving “The Porter Wagoner Show.”
Over her career, Parton was nominated for 55 Grammy Awards and won 10. Beyond music, she was known for founding the Dollywood theme park and for her Imagination Library, a literacy program that has distributed millions of free books to children worldwide.
News of her death drew tributes from fans and public officials across the political spectrum, with many crediting her music and philanthropy for shaping generations of Americans.
This story is developing. Sources: CNN, NBC News, ABC News, CBC News.
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