Country music legend Dolly Parton has reportedly died at the age of 80, bringing an end to an extraordinary career that spanned more than six decades.
Parton’s death was reportedly announced on Tuesday by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who paid an emotional tribute to the singer on Instagram.
“I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.
“It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” Seaver said.
Born on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, Parton grew up in a large family of 12 children and was raised in a modest two-room cabin. Her father worked as a sharecropper before eventually becoming a small tobacco farmer.
The singer often spoke about her difficult childhood, describing her family as “dirt poor”. She credited her mother for introducing her to traditional folk music, while her father influenced her strong work ethic.
Parton’s musical journey began when she was still a child. By the age of 13, she had performed on local radio and television, appeared at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and recorded “Puppy Love”, her first single.
After completing high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville to pursue her musical ambitions. Three years later, she released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, and joined The Porter Wagoner Show.
Her partnership with country star Porter Wagoner helped establish her career, although she eventually decided to focus on her solo work.
Following their professional separation in 1973, Parton penned “I Will Always Love You”. She recorded the song herself before Whitney Houston later transformed it into a global hit for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Parton also created “Jolene”, one of her most recognisable songs, during the same period. Her 1974 album Jolene helped expand her audience beyond country music.
She achieved another major milestone with her 1977 album Here You Come Again, which became her first record to sell more than one million copies and earned her first Grammy Award.
Parton later crossed into acting, making her film debut in 1980 alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in 9 to 5. She also wrote and performed the film’s title song, which became a chart success and earned an Oscar nomination.
Her film credits went on to include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Joyful Noise.
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Away from entertainment, Parton became a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. She became associated with Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park she acquired and renamed in 1986.
Her charitable work was equally significant. Through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, she supported childhood literacy by helping provide books to children.
Parton also donated to medical research and disaster relief efforts. In 2020, she contributed $1 million to COVID-19 vaccine research.
She received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022 in recognition of her charitable contributions.
Explaining her approach to philanthropy, Parton once 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.”
Concerns over Parton’s health became public in 2025 after she postponed her Las Vegas residency. She subsequently reduced her public appearances as she dealt with health challenges.
Her reported death comes several months after the death of her husband, Carl Dean. Dean died in March 2025 at the age of 82 after nearly 60 years of marriage to Parton.
Parton leaves behind a legacy that extends from country music and Hollywood to business, songwriting and humanitarian work.