United States country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family announced on Tuesday.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver, the son of Cassie Parton, announced the news in a video on social media, speaking on behalf of the family.
“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 honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.
“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 for her to meet them in the heavens. I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s.”
Parton celebrated her 80th birthday in January by releasing a new version of her song ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’.
In July last year, she paused new music production following the death of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025 at the age of 82.
The ‘I Will Always Love You’ hitmaker faced health challenges that postponed her planned Las Vegas residency to 2026, with rumours swirling she had died, which she debunked with a video on social media at the time.
“Dolly opened doors, not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. 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 believe anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the door she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you.
“She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family – whether you liked it or not.
“Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever.
“Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil; she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.
“Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, Aunt Granny, Gigi.
“May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
The multi-award-winning country singer grew up poor in Tennessee and became a household name with hits like ‘Jolene’. – IOL News
