Dolly Parton, the legendary Queen of Country, passed away peacefully at 80 on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. Her family shared the news in a video message from her nephew, Bryan Seaver.
Her passing came after health challenges that began in late 2025, leading to the cancellation of major concerts and a much-anticipated Las Vegas residency. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025.
From humble beginnings in East Tennessee, Parton built an extraordinary 60-year career, penning classics like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” earning 25 number-one country hits, multiple Grammy Awards, and starring in beloved films like *9 to 5*.
Beyond music and film, she created a thriving business empire with Dollywood and left a lasting philanthropic legacy through her Imagination Library, which has given millions of free books to children around the world.
