Dolly Parton, the legendary country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist whose career spanned more than six decades, has died at 80. Her family confirmed that the beloved entertainer died Tuesday in Nashville while receiving medical care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
According to her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, Parton had been “bravely facing a brief battle with cancer” and was surrounded by loved ones in her final moments.
Throughout her extraordinary career, Dolly Parton became one of the most recognizable figures in American entertainment. She wrote hundreds of songs and created enduring classics including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” the latter becoming one of the most famous songs in music history.
Beyond music and Hollywood, Parton was celebrated for her generosity and commitment to helping others. Her Imagination Library, founded in 1995, has provided more than 300 million books to children around the world, making childhood literacy one of the defining causes of her philanthropic work.
Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver shared the news in an emotional video posted to Instagram, describing her death as a moment of profound sadness while emphasizing the joy and influence she brought to generations of fans and artists.
“She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist,” Seaver said, reflecting on the extraordinary reach of her career.
The Parton family said a small, private funeral service will be held for immediate family members, in accordance with the singer’s wishes. The family has also asked fans who wish to honor her memory to donate to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library instead of sending flowers.
Dolly Parton leaves behind a remarkable legacy of music, generosity, humor and inspiration that will continue to influence generations to come.
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