Chicago – August 25, 2026
Dolly Parton, the legendary country singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, died peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday at the age of 80, her family said.
The announcement was made by her nephew Bryan Seaver in a video posted to Partonâs social media accounts. No cause of death was immediately disclosed.
Born into poverty in Tennessee, Parton rose from a one-room cabin to become one of the worldâs most celebrated entertainers. Her career, spanning nearly seven decades, produced enduring hits including âJolene,â âCoat of Many Colors,â â9 to 5â and âI Will Always Love You.â She recorded more than 100 million albums, won 11 Grammy Awards and earned recognition in both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond music, Parton gained widespread admiration for her humanitarian work. Her Imagination Library literacy programme has distributed millions of books to children internationally, while her $1 million donation supported early COVID-19 vaccine research at Vanderbilt University.
Parton also established Dollywood, a major Tennessee tourism attraction. Her warmth, business acumen and generosity made her a rare cultural figure admired across generations and political divisions.
