Country Music Icon Dolly Parton Dead At 80

Country music legend Dolly Parton, whose unmistakable voice, songwriting and larger-than-life personality made her one of the most beloved entertainers in American history, has died at the age of 80.

Parton’s death was announced Tuesday, bringing an end to a remarkable career that stretched across seven decades. Her nephew announced the news in a video posted to Instagram. Another report stated that Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee.

The devastating news comes just days after Parton publicly addressed ongoing health problems while insisting that she still had more work she wanted to accomplish.

“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton told PEOPLE last week, referring to her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.

Parton acknowledged that she had been through “hard times” with her health but made it clear she had no intention of walking away from her career.

“Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!” she said. “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.”

Her recent health struggles had already forced the country icon to scale back some public appearances. Parton missed the opening ceremony for Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition attraction after experiencing dizziness and dehydration, saying her doctor advised her against traveling.

Newport, Rhode Island, USA – July 27,2019: Dolly Parton performs at The Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island.

Born in Tennessee on January 19, 1946, Parton grew up as one of 12 children in a poor family before moving to Nashville shortly after graduating from high school. Her breakthrough came alongside Porter Wagoner, whose television program introduced her to a national audience.

Parton eventually became a superstar in her own right, producing an extraordinary catalog that included “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”

The latter became one of the most famous songs ever written after Whitney Houston recorded her own version for the 1992 film “The Bodyguard.” Parton originally wrote the song decades earlier as a farewell to Wagoner when she decided to leave their professional partnership.

Her talents extended well beyond music. Parton became a major Hollywood star with roles in films including “9 to 5,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Steel Magnolias.” She also built Dollywood into one of Tennessee’s most recognizable attractions and established the Imagination Library, which has distributed books to children around the world.

Over the course of her career, Parton collected 11 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards and seven Academy of Country Music Awards while receiving two Academy Award nominations. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

Parton was preceded in death by Dean, her husband of nearly six decades. The two married in 1966 and maintained an unusually private relationship despite Parton becoming one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world.

According to a statement reported Tuesday, a small private service will be held for immediate family at Parton’s request. Her family has asked that donations be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers.

Parton leaves behind a legacy that stretched far beyond country music, with generations of fans knowing her as a songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

She was 80 years old.