Country music legend Dolly Parton has reportedly died at the age of 80, according to multiple reports, including The Independent, The Guardian and Sky News.
The news was reportedly announced on Tuesday by Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, who shared an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” Seaver said, reflecting on the loss of the music icon.
Parton, widely celebrated as the “Queen of Country,” rose from poverty in Tennessee to become one of the most influential singer-songwriters in music history.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, she sold more than 100 million records worldwide and created timeless hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
She wrote more than 3,000 songs, won 11 Grammy Awards and successfully ventured into acting, appearing in movies such as 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Joyful Noise.
Born on January 19, 1946, in a two-room log cabin near the Little Pigeon River in Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children. Her family lived in poverty, but she began performing at a remarkably young age.
By 13, she had already appeared on local radio and television, performed at the Grand Ole Opry and recorded her first single, “Puppy Love.”
After graduating from high school in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville and began building her career as a songwriter. Her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, was released in 1967.
Her breakthrough as a solo performer came in the 1970s, when she released songs including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” The latter later became a global phenomenon after Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard soundtrack.
Parton also conquered Hollywood, making her acting debut in 9 to 5 in 1980 alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The film’s title song, written and performed by Parton, became a major hit and earned an Oscar nomination.
Away from entertainment, Parton became equally renowned for her philanthropy. Through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, she helped promote childhood literacy, while also supporting medical research, disaster relief and other charitable causes.
She donated $1 million toward COVID-19 vaccine research and received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022.
Parton’s health concerns became public in September 2025 after she postponed her Las Vegas residency. She had also withdrawn from several public appearances in recent weeks amid ongoing health issues.
Her reported death comes just months after the passing of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82. The couple had married in 1966.
If confirmed, Parton’s death marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in country music — leaving behind a legacy that stretched far beyond music and touched generations around the world.
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