NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 28: Dolly Parton performs during “Dolly: An Original Musical” fireside chat and press conference at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on January 28, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Dolly Parton, the iconic singer, songwriter and philathropist who recorded such timeless hits as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and starred in the classic movie comedy 9 to 5, has died.
Parton’s representative said the entertainer died in Nashville She was 80. Parton’s death was also announced on Instagram by her head of security and nephew, Brian Seaver, in a video message
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” Seaver said in part in the message. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
ForbesActress Shelley Fabares, ‘Coach’ And ‘The Donna Reed Show’ Star, Dies At 82
Seaver also noted Parton’s support of all those she encountered over the years.
Dolly opened doors not just for me
“Dolly opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible,” Seaver sad in the Instagram message. “Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything is possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
Parton’s death comes about a year and a half after the loss of Carl Dean, her husband of 58 years, on March 3, 2025. Dean was 82.
Parton, who has kept the public informed of her health struggles over the past couple of years, received an honorary Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, in November of 2025. Parton had accept the award remotely from Nashville.
Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit
“Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts,” Janet Yang, the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said in a press release announcing the entertainer’s honor.
Note: This is a developing story. Please refresh this page for updates.
The always cheerful Dolly Parton just gave an update on her health challenges on Friday.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this,” Parton said in a statement . “Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.”
ForbesMichael Wright, ‘The Five Heartbeats’ And ‘V’ Star, Dies At 70
Source: www.forbes.com
