Wednesday, August 25, 2026 - Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives confirmed on August 25. The country music icon died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver announced her death earlier Tuesday, describing the moment as one filled with both “pride and great sadness” as the family said goodbye to a woman whose influence reached far beyond music.
The specific type of cancer Parton was battling has not been disclosed. Her death came just days after she publicly acknowledged that she had been dealing with health problems and was taking time to recover.
On August 21, Parton said she was still determined to work and had many projects she wanted to complete, making the news of her sudden passing especially shocking to fans around the world.
Parton leaves behind an enormous cultural and charitable legacy, with global hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” alongside decades of philanthropy. Her representatives specifically highlighted the hundreds of millions of books distributed through her Imagination Library and her support for medical research.
Tributes are now pouring in across the music and entertainment industries as fans mourn the loss of a performer whose generosity, songwriting and unmistakable personality made her one of the world's most beloved stars.
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