Dolly Parton, one of the most famous and influential country music stars of all time, has died at the age of 80.

The singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, her publicist confirmed.

Parton’s death brings to an end an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades and encompassing country music, pop, film, television, business and philanthropy.

She leaves behind one of the most recognisable catalogues in popular music, including songs such as “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You”.

How old was Dolly Parton when she died?

Dolly Parton was 80 years old when she died.

She was born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee and celebrated her 80th birthday earlier this year.

Parton grew up in a large family in rural Tennessee before moving to Nashville shortly after finishing school to pursue a career in music.

It was the beginning of a journey that would eventually make her one of the most successful and recognisable musicians in the world.

What was Dolly Parton’s cause of death?

An official cause of Dolly Parton’s death has not been disclosed.

Her publicist confirmed that Parton died peacefully in Nashville on August 25, but did not provide a cause of death.

There had been public concern about Parton’s health in the period before her death.

Just days earlier, Parton had discussed dealing with health problems, including episodes of dizziness and dehydration. She had also postponed or missed some appearances because of her health.

Until her family or representatives provide further information, reports claiming a specific cause of death should therefore be treated cautiously.

Dolly Parton’s family confirms her death

News of Dolly Parton’s death was announced on behalf of her family by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who had also worked as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades.

Seaver revealed that Parton had asked him years earlier to be the person who would eventually announce her death publicly.

Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, had died the previous year.

Dean died in March 2025 at the age of 82 after nearly 60 years of marriage to Parton.

Dolly Parton’s incredible music career

Although Dolly Parton became a global celebrity, songwriting always remained at the centre of her career.

After moving to Nashville in the 1960s, she initially found success as a songwriter before establishing herself as a recording artist.

Her breakthrough accelerated when she became a regular performer alongside Porter Wagoner in 1967.

From there, Parton developed one of the most remarkable catalogues in country music history.

Songs including:

• Jolene
• I Will Always Love You
• 9 to 5
• Coat of Many Colors
• Here You Come Again
• Islands in the Stream
• Joshua

helped turn Parton from a country star into an international pop culture figure.

During her career, Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide and received 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dolly Parton’s most famous songs

For listeners discovering or revisiting Dolly Parton’s music following her death, several songs define different periods of her career.

Jolene

Released in 1973, “Jolene” became perhaps the song most closely associated with Dolly Parton.

The track’s instantly recognisable guitar introduction and simple story of a woman pleading with another woman not to take her partner helped make it one of country music’s most enduring songs.

Decades later, “Jolene” continued to reach new audiences through covers, social media and streaming.

I Will Always Love You

Dolly Parton originally wrote and recorded “I Will Always Love You” in the 1970s.

The song was written as a farewell to Porter Wagoner as Parton prepared to leave their professional partnership and establish herself independently.

It later became one of the most famous songs in popular music when Whitney Houston recorded her version for The Bodyguard in 1992.

Houston’s recording became a worldwide hit, but Parton remained the song’s songwriter and retained the publishing rights.

9 to 5

Parton wrote “9 to 5” for the 1980 film of the same name, in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.

The song became another crossover hit and remains one of Parton’s most recognisable recordings.

It also helped establish her as more than simply a country recording artist.

Dolly Parton was much more than a country singer

Dolly Parton’s influence extended far beyond music.

Her acting career included movies such as 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

She was also an entrepreneur.

Parton became closely associated with Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park that developed into a major tourism destination and expanded into hotels, water parks and other attractions.

But perhaps the most significant part of her life outside entertainment was her philanthropy.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995.

The programme began by providing books to young children in her home county in Tennessee and later expanded internationally.

According to Parton’s official website, the programme eventually grew to distribute more than two million free books to children every month across multiple countries.

Parton was inspired partly by her father, who had been unable to read or write.

The project became one of the defining aspects of her philanthropic legacy.

She also funded educational projects, disaster relief and medical research during her lifetime.

Dolly Parton’s impact on music

There are successful musicians, and then there are artists whose songs become part of popular culture.

Dolly Parton belonged firmly in the second group.

Her influence crossed musical genres.

Country artists looked to her as one of the genre’s defining songwriters.

Pop musicians covered her work.

Rock artists collaborated with her.

Film audiences knew her as an actress.

Entire generations who weren’t alive when “Jolene” or “I Will Always Love You” were originally released discovered those songs decades later.

The Associated Press described songwriting as being at the heart of everything Parton achieved, despite a career that also encompassed acting, books, philanthropy and business.

Dolly Parton tributes pour in following her death

News of Dolly Parton’s death quickly prompted tributes from across music and entertainment.

Artists and public figures remembered Parton not only for her music but for her generosity, humour and influence.

Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Lily Tomlin and numerous other musicians and actors were among those paying tribute following the announcement.

The reaction reflects the unusual position Parton occupied in popular culture.

Few artists remain internationally famous for more than half a century while continuing to be discovered by younger generations.

Dolly Parton managed exactly that.

When did Dolly Parton die?

Dolly Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

She was 80 years old.

Her death occurred in Nashville, Tennessee, the city that had been central to her career since she moved there as a teenager in the 1960s.

Dolly Parton’s legacy

Dolly Parton’s legacy will ultimately be measured in several different ways.

There is the extraordinary catalogue.

There are songs like “Jolene”, “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” that will continue being played, streamed, performed and covered for generations.

There is the influence she had on women in country music and the artists who followed her.

There is the business empire she created around her name.

And there is the philanthropic work that distributed millions of books to children and supported numerous other causes.

But perhaps Parton’s greatest achievement was remaining unmistakably Dolly Parton throughout it all.

The huge blonde hair.

The rhinestones.

The Tennessee accent.

The humour.

The songwriting.

And an ability to move comfortably between country music, Hollywood, business and popular culture without losing the identity that had made her famous in the first place.

Dolly Parton was one of the defining figures in country music history.

She died aged 80, but the songs she leaves behind are likely to be heard for a very long time.