Country music icon and humanitarian Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. Her family confirmed she passed away peacefully at her home in Nashville on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Details of Her PassingAccording to a family statement released by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, Parton passed away peacefully at her Nashville home. A small, private service will be held for her close family members.
While no official cause of death was immediately provided, Parton had been open about facing various “health challenges” over the last two years. In a video message to fans earlier in the year, she shared that she had neglected her own health while caring for her longtime husband, Carl Dean, who preceded her in death in March 2025. She had recently canceled public appearances and a Las Vegas residency to undergo medical treatments for an out-of-whack immune and digestive system, as well as recurring kidney stones.
A Legendary Legacy
Dolly Parton’s groundbreaking career spanned over six decades:
• Music & Accolades: Rising from humble beginnings in the Smoky Mountains, she went on to release 49 albums, win 11 Grammy Awards, and achieve 25 No. 1 country singles. She wrote timeless hits such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”.
• Hollywood Success: She starred in iconic films like 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, earning an Oscar nomination for the 9 to 5 theme song.
• Philanthropy: Beyond entertainment, she founded the Imagination Library, which has gifted over 300 million books to children globally. She also notably donated $1 million to fund critical research for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Tributes Pour In
Following the news, fans began gathering to leave flowers at her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Public figures across the political and entertainment landscape have expressed their grief. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called her the state’s “favorite daughter”, and an order was issued to lower American flags to half-staff across the country for one week to honor her memory.