Country music star Dolly Parton dies aged 80
The music legend released her first album nearly 50 years ago
Last updated 23 hours ago
Country music icon, actress and singer Dolly Parton has died aged 80.
Her nephew Brian Seaver announced the news in a video shared on her Instagram page.
In the video, Dolly Parton’s nephew announced the country singer’s death, saying: “My name is Brian 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.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.
“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Mr Seaver added: “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
Losing her husband of 59 years
Dolly Parton lost her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025, aged 82.
The couple spent nearly six decades married, with businessman Dean largely remaining out of the spotlight as Parton became a two-time Oscar nominee and 10-time Grammy winner as well as one of the biggest-selling US musicians.
US country singer Parton, 79, dedicated a song to her husband on Instagram: “Carl and I fell in love when I was 18 and he was 23, and like all great love stories, they never end. They live in memory and in song, and I dedicate this to him. If You Hadn’t Been There.”
A record-breaking career
Earlier in 2025 Dolly Parton was named a Guinness World Records icon for holding 11 record-breaking titles.
Her record titles include most consecutive decades with top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart, most studio albums released by a female country singer, and most Grammy nominations for a female country artist.
Dolly Parton: A career that spans seven decades
Parton, who is from Tennessee, released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967 and had a run of hits in the 1970s.
By the 1980s she was a huge star and made her movie debut in screwball comedy 9 To 5.
Her most recent album was Rockstar, released in 2023, and she recently featured in a version of Sabrina Carpenter’s Please Please Please.
As well as her singing career, Parton is a successful actress, starring in films including 9 To 5, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas.
Her tracks Nine To Five and Transamerica’s Travelin’ Thru have both been nominated for Academy Awards, while Jolene and I Will Always Love Yo have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
She also co-owned the Dollywood Company, which operates Dollywood, a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Dolly Parton quotes
"It's hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world."
Dolly Parton performing in 1976.
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."
Dolly on stage.
"You can be rich in spirit, kindness, love and all those things that you can’t put a dollar sign on. "
Dolly Parton on stage at Glastonbury Festival in 2014.
"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try."
Dolly Parton and her Goddaughter Miley Cyrus on stage at the Grammy Awards in 2019.
"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."
Dolly Parton and her former partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, who she wrote her hit 'I Will Always Love You' about.
"Find out who you are and do it on purpose."
Dolly performing on stage at the UK Country Music Festival.
"Never leave a rhinestone unturned."
Dolly Parton in a publicity shot for the film 'Rhinestone' in 1984.
"Never ignore your roots, your home or your hair!"
Dolly performing at Glastonbury Festival in 2014.
"Life is short, keep your dreams big and your hair bigger."
Dolly Parton co-hosting the 57th Academy Of Country Music Awards in March 2022.
"When it comes to music or hair, crank up the volume!"
Dolly performed at the Academy of Country Music Awards 2022.