Dolly Parton dies at 80; family announces her death

Dolly Parton dies at 80

Dolly Parton, the country singer-songwriter and philanthropist, died Tuesday at age 80. Her cousin Bryan Seaver announced the death in an Instagram video, and Swedish outlets SVT and Sveriges Radio reported the family's confirmation. Parton had faced health problems this year, including canceled Las Vegas concerts, and no cause of death has been made public.

A six-decade career in music and film

Parton was born January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, the fourth of 12 children in a poor family. She began singing on local radio as a child and appeared at the Grand Ole Opry when she was 13. After moving to Nashville in 1964, she joined The Porter Wagoner Show and later broke through as a solo artist with songs such as Jolene, I Will Always Love You, and 9 to 5.

Across her career, Parton released about 50 studio albums and won 11 Grammy Awards. She acted in films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, and she built the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee. She also started the Dollywood Foundation, which sends free books to preschool children through the Imagination Library.

Health struggles and final months

Parton had described recent health problems, saying she had ignored her own health while caring for her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. Earlier this year she canceled planned Las Vegas concerts and missed her 80th birthday celebration. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.

Sources disagree on birthplace and chart count

News reports differ on where in Tennessee Parton was born. RTL reports Locust Ridge, while VRT says Pittman Center. They also give different counts of her country No. 1 singles: RTL says 25, VRT says 26. Neither outlet explains the discrepancy, and the family has not commented.

Why it matters

For country music fans and millions of children reached by her literacy programs, Parton's death ends a six-decade career that paired hit songs with philanthropy. Her family asked that instead of flowers, donations go to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. A private funeral is planned for close family members.