Dolly Parton dies at age 80

Beloved country star Dolly Parton died Tuesday at age 80.

Her death was announced on her social media by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who served as the family representative.

“I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis, and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” Seaver said. “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”

“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness, but sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he added. “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.”

In May, the music legend canceled a planned Las Vegas residency, citing health concerns.

Parton is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Dean, who died last year. Parton and Dean’s marriage was largely kept private, but the couple was married for nearly 60 years. When announcing the cancellation of her Las Vegas shows, Parton said she was dealing with things she “didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.”

She is survived by five of her sisters, Willadeene, Stella, Cassie, Freida, and Rachel, as well as her brother, Bobby. Her five other brothers preceded her in death. She is also the godmother of pop superstar Miley Cyrus.

From humble beginnings, Parton and her siblings grew up in a two-room cabin in Tennessee. Her childhood influenced much of her discography, including songs such as “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” “Daddy’s Working Boots,” and one of her first hits, “Coat of Many Colors.” A replica of the cabin she grew up in is a part of her popular theme park, Dollywood.

A hallmark of Parton’s career was her friendship with singer Porter Wagoner. Wagoner introduced Parton on his television show in 1967, and stayed past the promised five years before leaving over creative differences. When she left their duo to pursue a solo musical career, she wrote “I Will Always Love in You” to say goodbye and to memorialize their close friendship. 

Throughout her life, Parton won a plethora of awards for her songwriting and also stepped into the world of acting in movies such as Steel Magnolias and 9 to 5. She is also recognized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

For her work, Parton won an Emmy, 11 Grammy awards, 10 Country Music Association awards, seven Academy of Country Music awards, three American Music awards, two Academy Award nominations, and an honorary Oscar.

Despite her death, Parton has long hinted that her work may not be done. She has thousands of unrecorded songs and raw vocals, which she has left with the intention of being made into songs after her death. There is a time capsule at Dollywood with a secret song to be released in 2045.

Parton also played a significant role in the philanthropic world, establishing the Imagination Library in 1995 to encourage children’s literacy. The library was inspired by her father, who never learned to read.

She also donated to disaster relief funds, children’s hospitals, and helped fund early research for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

President Donald Trump ordered the American flag to be lowered throughout the week in honor of the American icon.

“Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”