Dolly Parton dies at 80 after brief cancer battle, team confirms

Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 following a short battle with cancer, her representatives confirmed Tuesday. Parton passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee, with her family by her side. The specific type of cancer was not disclosed.

Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death via an Instagram video, stating it was something Parton had requested he do years prior. She had been admitted to the hospital on August 21, just four days before her passing. Reports indicated Parton had also been managing kidney and autoimmune issues.

Despite recent health struggles, which saw her miss the opening of a new Dollywood ride on doctor's orders, Parton remained determined. In an interview published days before her death, she expressed her ongoing recovery and commitment to her work, stating, "I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!". Her death comes over a year after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025.

Parton's legacy extends far beyond her music, which includes hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5." Her philanthropic efforts, notably the Imagination Library which has distributed over 300 million books to children, and her support for medical research, including COVID-19 vaccine development, defined her life. Her representatives noted her life was characterized by generosity and a commitment to helping others.

“

I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!