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Global music icon Dolly Parton, known for her chart-topping songs, acting career, and philanthropy, has died at age 80.
Parton died peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, according to a statement from her representatives.
Her death was also announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on social media. The cause of death had not been disclosed at the time of publication.
The singer had faced health challenges in recent months.
In September 2025, she told fans on Instagram that she had been dealing with health issues and that her doctors had advised her to undergo “a few procedures.”
She did not disclose the nature of those health problems at the time.
Parton, born January 19, 1946, in rural Tennessee, began performing as a child and went on to build a career spanning more than six decades.
She became one of country music’s most influential singer-songwriters, with hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Her music reached audiences far beyond country music.
“I Will Always Love You,” which Parton wrote and originally recorded, became an international hit when Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Parton also became known for her distinctive style and larger-than-life personality.
Reflecting on her image in her 2023 book Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, she wrote: “I take my negatives and try to make them into positives, and I always feel better being more flamboyant.”
Valerie Macon/Getty Images.
She added: “Maybe I looked cheap, but I knew I wasn’t cheap.”
Beyond music, Parton established herself as an actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist. She made her film debut in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She later appeared in films including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias.
Her influence also extended to education and children’s literacy. Through the Dollywood Foundation and its Imagination Library programme, Parton supported children’s access to books and education. The programme has distributed more than 200 million books to children since its 1995 launch.
Parton was also recognised for her contributions to American culture and the arts.
She received the National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Centre Honours, among numerous other distinctions. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and received 11 Grammy Awards during her career.
Her songs “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” have also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
From her humble beginnings in Tennessee to becoming one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers, Parton built a legacy that spanned music, film, business, and philanthropy. Her career spanned seven decades, making her one of popular culture’s most enduring figures.
