Dolly Parton, a giant in country music, has passed away at the age of 80. This news comes from several sources, including The Independent, The Guardian, and Sky News.
Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, shared the sad news on Instagram on Tuesday. He wrote, “I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.” Seaver added, “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.”
Dolly Parton grew up in Tennessee and became one of the most famous singer-songwriters in country music. Her career lasted over six decades. She sold over 100 million records worldwide and earned the title “Queen of Country.” Some of her biggest hits include “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Parton wrote more than 3,000 songs and won 11 Grammy Awards. She was also a talented actress, featuring in films like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias, and Joyful Noise.
Born on January 19, 1946, in a small log cabin by the Little Pigeon River in Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children. Her father was an illiterate sharecropper who later owned a small tobacco farm. Parton described her family as “dirt poor” but credited her mother for her love of traditional folk music and her father for his strong work ethic.
Parton started performing as a child. By 13, she was already on local radio and television in East Tennessee. She performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and recorded her first single, “Puppy Love.”
After finishing high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville the next day to begin her career as a songwriter. She released her first album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967, the same year she joined The Porter Wagoner Show. Wagoner was a big country star who mentored her, and they released several successful albums together.
In 1973, Parton decided to focus on her solo career and wrote “I Will Always Love You” about her professional split with Wagoner. The song was a hit for her and was later famously sung by Whitney Houston for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Parton also wrote “Jolene,” one of her signature songs, around this time. Both songs appeared on her 1974 album Jolene, which helped her reach a broader audience beyond just country music.
Her 1977 album, Here You Come Again, was her first to sell a million copies. It also earned her first Grammy Award after years of nominations.
In 1980, Parton made her acting debut with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the comedy 9 to 5. She also wrote and sang the film’s theme song, which topped the charts and got an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
The film's success kickstarted her acting career, leading to roles in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Steel Magnolias (1989), and Joyful Noise (2012).
Parton built a business empire that included TV specials, food products, and Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park she got involved with and renamed in 1986.
Besides her music and acting, she was also known for her charity work. She made a big impact through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, promoting childhood literacy. She also supported medical research and disaster relief, donating $1 million for COVID-19 vaccine research.
In 2022, she received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. She said, “I just give from my heart. I never know what I’m going to do or why I’m gonna do it. I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will.”
Parton’s health became a concern in September 2025 when she postponed her Las Vegas residency. Recently, she also withdrew from public events due to ongoing health issues.
Her death comes months after her husband, Carl Dean, passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82. The couple got married in 1966.
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