Dolly Parton, the beloved American country music icon behind classics such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” has died at the age of 80, her family announced on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
In a video posted to Parton’s Instagram page, her nephew Bryan Seaver spoke on behalf of the family: “I am representing the Parton and Owen family today to announce the passing of my aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton.”
The family did not disclose a cause of death.
Earlier this year Parton canceled a series of Las Vegas concerts citing ongoing health concerns; in May she posted a video saying treatment for an unspecified illness was going well.
Parton’s six-decade career made her one of music’s most enduring stars. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide and penned roughly 3,000 songs, including enduring hits that crossed genres and generations.
“I Will Always Love You” reached new international heights after Whitney Houston’s 1992 rendition, while “Jolene” remains a defining song in country music.
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton as the fourth of 12 children, she grew up in a one-room cabin on a poor Tennessee farm. Her earliest musical education came from her mother’s folk songs and an aunt who played guitar and wrote songs; she began singing at age six in the local church where her grandfather served as pastor.
Parton’s influence extended far beyond recordings and concerts. She was a cultural figure known for her songwriting, philanthropy, and unmistakable presence in country music and popular culture, a career that reshaped the genre and inspired countless artists.
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