Dolly Parton Dies: Country Music Icon, Singer, and Actress Dead at 80

Dolly Parton, the country music singer-songwriter and actress whose career spanned nearly six decades across music, film and television, died on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80. Her death was announced by her family through a video posted on Instagram by her nephew Bryan Seaver.

Parton had continued working despite health problems in recent years. She had recently spoken publicly about her health, while projects connected to her music and life story remained in development. Her death comes as DOLLY: A True Original Musical prepares for a Broadway run. Bunny Levine Dies at 97, Actress Known for ‘Gilmore Girls’, 'La La Land', ‘Shameless’ and More.

Dolly Parton Dies: Family Statement 

 

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Dolly Parton’s Health Struggles

Parton’s health issues became a public concern in 2025 when she announced that she would not be able to perform a planned six-show December residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. “As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures,” she wrote at the time.

“As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it’s not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon! In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”

She later added: “While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get show ready, as they say,” she continued. “And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding.”

Parton also withdrew from the Motion Picture Academy’s Governors Awards in November, where she had been due to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. More recently, Parton had acknowledged continuing health challenges while remaining involved in her creative projects.

Parton Continued Working Despite Health Issues

Parton remained involved in the development of DOLLY: A True Original Musical, which had a pre-Broadway engagement in Nashville. Her official website said in July that the musical would come to Broadway in the winter.

She was also involved in Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony, a touring concert featuring other singers performing her songs alongside local orchestras. Parton appeared in the project through video.

Her final studio album was Rockstar, released in 2023 after her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She had initially resisted the nomination, saying she did not consider herself a rock artist, before embracing the honour and recording an album built around rock songs and collaborations.

A Career Built On Songwriting

Born in Tennessee in 1946, Parton grew from a modest rural upbringing into one of the most successful and recognisable figures in country music. Reuters reported that she began writing songs as a child and went on to sell more than 100 million records during a career spanning almost six decades.

Her early breakthrough came through her work with country singer Porter Wagoner before she established herself as a solo performer.

Parton became known not only for her distinctive voice and stage persona but also for writing many of her own hits. Her catalogue included songs that crossed from country into mainstream pop.

‘I Will Always Love You’ And Other Hits

Among Parton’s best-known compositions was “I Will Always Love You”, which she wrote after ending her professional association with Wagoner in 1974.

The song became a country No. 1 for Parton in two versions. Whitney Houston’s 1992 recording for The Bodyguard later became a worldwide pop phenomenon and introduced the composition to a new generation.

Parton also recorded major hits including “Jolene”, “9 to 5” and “Coat of Many Colors”. Her music career earned her numerous honours, including 11 Grammy Awards, while her 2022 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame marked another major recognition of her influence.

Dolly Parton’s Film And Television Career

Parton expanded into film and television from the late 1970s, becoming one of the few country stars to achieve sustained success across multiple forms of entertainment.

Her most prominent film roles included 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias. She also hosted and appeared in several television programmes.

Beyond entertainment, Parton became known for her business ventures and philanthropy. She founded Dollywood and established the Imagination Library, a literacy initiative that distributes books to children. Her death brings to a close the career of an artist who remained influential across country music, pop culture, film, television and philanthropy for generations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2026 11:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).