Dolly Parton press shot
Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family has announced.
The news comes after the singer, known for hits including ‘9 To 5’, ‘Islands In The Stream’, ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘Jolene’, contended with multiple health issues over the last year.
Last year she was forced to cancel a Vegas residency in December due to illness and earlier this month abruptly pulled out of an appearance at her Dollywood theme park on doctor’s orders.
Just days ago she posted a video to her Instagram account in which she told fans: “I’m dehydrated. And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t travelling this week. So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t travelling this week, you ain’t travelling this week.”
News of her death was announced in a video posted by her nephew and head of security Bryan Seaver, having been asked to do so by Parton herself.
He said: “Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I am representing the Parton and Owne’s family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean.”
“Sister, sis Aunt Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next. This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.
“As her head of security, for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me. I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
Referencing her husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025, Seaver continued: “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus. Surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.
“I first went on the road as Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.”
Born one of 12 siblings, Parton never had children herself but was also known for her philanthropic endeavours, particularly in the areas of children’s literacy and health – and also provided huge personal investment into developing the Moderna coronavirus vaccine.
