Dolly Parton, country music legend, dies at 80

Dolly Parton, the beloved American country music icon and cultural phenomenon, has passed away at the age of 80, her family announced on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Born Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, she was the fourth of twelve children who grew up in poverty.

Parton moved to Nashville in 1964 to pursue her music career and quickly rose to prominence. She became one of the 20th century's most significant figures in music and entertainment. Her debut album, "Hello, I'm Dolly," was released in 1967. She is known for signature songs like "9 to 5" and "Jolene," and she also penned "I Will Always Love You," famously covered by Whitney Houston for "The Bodyguard" soundtrack.

Beyond her music, Parton was a prolific songwriter, composing over 3,000 songs and selling more than 100 million albums worldwide. Her accolades include 11 Grammy Awards, and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She also established the theme park Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and was recognized as an actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist.

Her philanthropic efforts included the "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library," which distributed books to children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated $1 million to aid in the development of a coronavirus vaccine. Parton was married to Carl Dean from 1966 until his death in 2025; they met in Nashville in 1964.