Dolly Parton, the renowned singer, actress, and philanthropist whose career spanned over five decades and earned her 11 Grammy Awards and inductions into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, has passed away. She was 80 years old.
Her nephew, Brian Seaver, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram on Tuesday.
In a heartfelt video, Seaver introduced himself as the son of Cassie Parton and spoke on behalf of the Parton and Owens families, announcing Dolly’s passing.
“Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, my aunt, sister, grandmother, and Gigi to the next generation, has left us,” Seaver said. “This is a moment she anticipated, and I am honored to share this news as her former security chief for over two decades, a role my father, Larry, also held. While I imagined this moment, I never truly felt its weight until now.”
In recent months, Parton had canceled several performances and appearances due to health issues she kept private. In May 2026, she announced the cancellation of a Las Vegas show, revealing she had been battling kidney stones for years.
“Honestly, they extract more stones from me annually than the Rockwood quarry in Tennessee,” she joked. “My immune and digestive systems have been out of sync, but I’m working hard to recover and regain my strength.”
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, she debuted with her album “Hello, I’m Dolly” in 1967, following initial success as a songwriter for other artists.
Throughout her career, she received 52 Grammy nominations, winning 11, making her the second-most nominated woman in Grammy history after Beyoncé, who has 79 nominations and 24 wins.
Her chart-topping hits include “9 to 5,” “Here You Come Again,” and “Islands in the Stream,” along with 25 No. 1 country hits like “Yellow Roses,” “Think About Love,” “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” and “Jolene.”
In addition to her musical achievements, Parton made a notable mark in Hollywood, starring in films such as “9 to 5” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” both earning her Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress.
Growing up as the fourth of 12 children in a humble Appalachian household, she often spoke of her father’s intelligence despite his shame over illiteracy.
A passionate advocate for literacy, Parton launched her Imagination Library program, which has distributed millions of free books to children across multiple states, including Missouri and Kentucky.
Her philanthropic efforts extended beyond literacy. After Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern U.S., she donated $1 million to aid recovery efforts in affected regions, including her hometown in Tennessee.
Parton also touched lives personally, such as when she called a fan undergoing cancer treatment to offer encouragement, leaving him overwhelmed and grateful. Her kindness and compassion became a hallmark of her legacy.
A devout Christian, Parton was also a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights, advocating for marriage equality and speaking out against judgmental attitudes.
“If you’re the Christian you believe yourself to be, why judge others?” she questioned in a 2017 interview with Larry King. “That’s God’s job.”
Her beloved husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, passed away on March 3, 2025, at age 82. Dean, who preferred to stay out of the spotlight, remained a steadfast supporter of her throughout her career. Dolly honored his memory with the release of a heartfelt song titled “If You Hadn’t Been There” shortly after his passing.
May Dolly Parton rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences goes out to her family, friends, and all those she touched with her kindness, talent, and generosity. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered
