Dolly Parton, the iconic American country music singer and songwriter, has died at the age of 80. Her family confirmed the news on her social media accounts, with her nephew Brian Seaver sharing a video tribute. According to a statement released by her team, Parton “departed her earthly life” at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones, after what was described as a brief battle with cancer.
Seaver, who also served as Parton’s longtime head of security, called it an “honor mixed with absolute pride and great sadness” to deliver the announcement, saying Parton had asked him to do so long ago. He said she “never saw a door she couldn’t open,” adding that “by her example, we believed anything was possible.” Tributes poured in from across the political and cultural spectrum. President Donald Trump said flags across the country would be lowered for a week in her memory, writing on social media: “Rest in Peace, Dolly! There has never been anyone like her, and never will.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called her “a true legend and force for good.”
Parton’s career spanned more than six decades, during which she released 49 solo studio albums and wrote more than 3,000 songs. She sold over 100 million records worldwide and earned 10 Grammy awards along with 13 Academy of Country Music awards. Known for timeless hits such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton considered herself a songwriter above all. “It’s my way of expressing myself,” she once said. “It’s my therapy.” She was also a shrewd businesswoman, combining quick wit and southern charm to take control of her own career.
Musicians paid heartfelt homage to the late star. Paul McCartney said her “songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music,” adding that it is “hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly.” Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones described her as a “wonderful songwriter and singer” who brought people together. Cyndi Lauper praised Parton’s generosity, saying “Dolly’s heart was as big as her talent.” The Academy of Country Music hailed her “unmistakable voice, unforgettable songs, generosity and larger-than-life spirit.”
Born January 19, 1946, in Sevierville, Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children raised in a small shack in the Great Smoky Mountains. She began performing in church, where her grandfather preached, and released her debut album “Hello, I’m Dolly” in 1967. Her 1974 album “Jolene” produced two of her most famous songs, including the title track and “I Will Always Love You.” Her final studio album, “Rockstar,” was released in 2023. Earlier this year she canceled a series of Las Vegas shows citing ongoing treatment for health issues, and late last year she brushed off rumors about her health with characteristic humor: “I ain’t dead yet!”