Renowned country music artist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 following a brief struggle with cancer, as confirmed by her representatives to U.S. media, including AFP.
According to a statement released to People magazine, Parton passed away today at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, where she was surrounded by family. The specific type of cancer she battled has not been disclosed.
Parton was hospitalized on August 21 and died just four days later. Reports indicate that she had been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues prior to her passing.
In their statement, her representatives emphasized, “Our beloved Dolly Parton dedicated her life and career to bringing joy, laughter, hope, and integrity to everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity impacted countless lives, even those she had never met, always being there to lend a helping hand.”
Announcement from Dolly Parton’s Nephew
The news of the legendary country singer’s death, known for hits such as “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” was shared by her family. Brian Seaver, her nephew, expressed his sorrow in a video announcement: “We are deeply saddened that we are no longer with Dolly. She lived in the light and is surely in the arms of Jesus.”
Seaver continued, “My family and I shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, and so did you. She was always present on your television, your turntable, your CDs, or your phone playlist, becoming a true member of your family.”
Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, whom she met at 18, passed away last year. Her health issues garnered media attention in the fall of 2025, when she announced on September 28 that she could not complete her scheduled six-show series at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which was meant to be a highly anticipated return to the concert stage.
Dolly Parton’s Last Interview Insights
Just days before her passing, Parton spoke candidly about her health struggles in an interview with People, reflecting on the impact of her husband’s death on her mental health. Carl Dean died in March of the previous year after nearly 60 years of marriage.
Parton described the pain of losing her husband, saying it left her feeling “exhausted and drained.” She remarked, “I am facing some health issues that I simply didn’t pay attention to while caring for Carl.” She also recalled a challenging health period in the early ’80s when she was immobilized for months due to gynecological issues.
“But I believe that, because we live in a world that operates 24/7 with social media, everything is amplified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of Tabloids, but now I think I can say I am the Queen of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence!” she added.
“Honestly speaking, even though I am still healing, I am still working,” Parton stated seriously. She also shared that she was collaborating with various companies to create “avatar shows” to provide fans with new experiences.
With a remarkable career spanning several decades, Parton is the best-selling female country artist of all time, with over 160 million albums sold worldwide. Her debut album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” was released in 1967 and she later produced a series of hits including “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5,” and “Jolene.”
