Dolly Rebecca Parton, the iconic American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, passed away on August 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 80. Her death, announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver, was confirmed by her team, who stated she died after a brief battle with cancer.
Parton’s passing follows the death of her husband of 59 years, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025.
Throughout her extensive career, Parton composed over 3,000 songs, many of which achieved iconic status. Her musical legacy includes key hits such as ‘Jolene’, ‘I Will Always Love You’, and ‘9 to 5’. Other notable songs were ‘Coat of Many Colors’ and ‘Here You Come Again’, alongside the duet ‘Islands in the Stream’ with Kenny Rogers.
Her talents also extended to acting, with her debut in the hit film ‘9 to 5’ in 1980. This was followed by roles in notable movies like ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ (1982), ‘Steel Magnolias’ (1989), ‘Straight Talk’ (1992), and ‘Joyful Noise’ (2012). Parton also graced television screens in made-for-television films such as ‘Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors’ (2015) and the series ‘Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings’ (2019).