Dolly Parton, the legendary country singer and songwriter behind hits including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, has died at 80. The news comes days after the music icon opened up about her health. She last shared that she was still working on projects close to her heart.
Dolly Parton’s family shared news of the country music icon’s death on Aug. 25
Her nephew, Brian Seaver, announced Dolly Parton’s death in an Instagram video on Aug. 25. He said the announcement was something Parton had asked him to make years ago.
“My name is Brin Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he said.
The announcement comes shortly after Parton addressed her health in an Aug. 21 interview with PEOPLE. She said she had been dealing with health issues after spending much of her time caring for her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said.
Despite her health struggles, she remained focused on her work.
“But I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life,” she added.
Parton leaves behind a career spanning decades. She became one of country music’s biggest stars with hits such as “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors.” She later achieved more success with “9 to 5.”
Throughout her career, Parton won 11 Grammy Awards, an Emmy and an honorary Oscar. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond music and acting, Parton was known for her philanthropy. The Imagination Library program that she founded, sends books to children from birth through kindergarten.
Parton’s death comes after years of saying she still had dreams she wanted to fulfill. “I just hope I live long enough to do more things,” she previously told PEOPLE. “That’s the only thing that worries me, that I may run out of time before I see so many of my dreams come true.”
Originally reported by Deepshikha Sarkar for Reality Tea
