Dolly Parton Passes Away At The Age Of 80
The Queen of Country Music died peacefully after a brief battle with cancer.
Courtesy of @dollyparton
Courtesy of @dollyparton
Dolly Parton, the Queen of Country Music, has passed away at the age of 80 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee — after her brief battle with cancer.
Before her death, she was hospitalized on August 21, 2026. “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer,” Parton’s team shared in a statement, “Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
The “Jolene” singer’s passing was announced in a special video message by her nephew and head of her security team, Bryan Seavers, on Instagram.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” a statement from her family reads.
“Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact,” the family adds.
A private service will be held for Parton’s immediate family, at her request. Her friends and fans around the world may pay their tribute on social media by tagging @DollyParton or leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com.
Parton was set to stage her Las Vegas residency in December 2025. However, in September, she postponed it by a year due to health issues related to kidney stones, for which she required surgery and sufficient recovery time. In May 2026, the residency was ultimately canceled.
Born on January 19, 1946, the music icon, singer-songwriter, philanthropist, actress, author, and playwright wrote her first song at the age of six.
Throughout her storied seven-decade career, she has composed over 3,000 songs, including her hits “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “Coat of Many Colors.” She became one of the best-selling female artists of all time, having sold over 100 million records
Frequently Asked Questions
Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at Nashville’s Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center after a brief battle with cancer. She had been hospitalized since August 21, 2026.
Dolly Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seavers, announced her death in an Instagram video. The Parton family followed with a written statement confirming she died at age 80.
Dolly Parton’s Las Vegas residency, planned for December 2025, was postponed a year over kidney stone surgery, then canceled entirely in May 2026.
Dolly Parton wrote over 3,000 songs across her career, including “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” and “9 to 5,” and sold more than 100 million records.
Fans can tag @DollyParton on social media or leave a message at dollyparton.com. Her family is holding a private service for immediate relatives only.
