By Peace Udugba
Country music legend, singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80.
Parton’s death was announced by her family on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Her nephew, Brian Seaver, confirmed the news in a video shared on social media. The family did not immediately disclose a cause of death.
Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, after a career spanning nearly six decades and making her one of the most influential figures in American entertainment.
Born in rural Tennessee, Parton rose from humble beginnings as one of 12 children to become a global music icon. She moved to Nashville shortly after completing secondary school in 1964 to pursue her dream of becoming a professional musician.
Her breakthrough came in 1967 when she joined The Porter Wagoner Show. She later established herself as a successful solo performer and songwriter, producing some of country music’s most enduring songs.
Among her best-known compositions is “I Will Always Love You,” which she wrote following her professional separation from Wagoner. Whitney Houston later recorded the song for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard, transforming it into a global hit.
Parton also wrote classics including “Jolene” and “9 to 5.” Her 1977 album Here You Come Again became her first million-selling album and earned her first Grammy Award.
Her career extended beyond music. Parton made her film debut in 9 to 5 in 1980 and later appeared in films including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Joyful Noise. She also earned an Oscar nomination for the title song from 9 to 5.
Over the course of her career, Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also credited with more than 3,000 songs.
Beyond entertainment, Parton built a successful business empire, most notably through Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park that became a major tourist attraction.
Her philanthropic work was equally significant. Through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, she supported childhood literacy by providing books to children. Her charitable efforts also included disaster relief, healthcare and medical research.
In 2020, Parton donated $1 million to COVID-19 research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The funding supported research that became associated with the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Parton had also faced health challenges in recent years and had reduced some public appearances. She had spoken publicly about taking time to recover from health problems.
Her death comes about 17 months after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, whom she married in 1966. Dean died in March 2025 at the age of 82 after nearly six decades of marriage.
From her humble beginnings in Tennessee to international superstardom, Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond country music — spanning entertainment, business, philanthropy and generations of fans around the world
