Dolly Parton dies at age 80 just days after sharing health update
The Queen of Country had been open about her declining health over this past year
Published August 25, 2026
Dolly Parton, the Queen of Country music, has passed away at age 80.
Her nephew Brian Seaver announced the tragic news in a video shared to her official Instagram page on Tuesday, August 25, revealing that Parton had assigned him this difficult task years earlier
“My name is Brin Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and 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.
Seaver emphasised that “sadness” about her death “lies with us, not with Dolly,” now that she has reunited with her husband Carl Dean, who passed away in March last year.
In an interview with People magazine on August 21 — now her last interview — Parton admitted that she let her health decline when she was “watching over Carl.”
However, she reassured fans, “Though I’m healin’, I’m still workin’!”
Parton’s health had forced her to cancel multiple performances and appearances over the past year, including her Las Vegas residency. This past month alone, the Jolene hitmaker had missed several scheduled appearances, including the opening of Dollywood’s new NightFlight Expedition ride ride and the ACM awards due to strict orders from the doctors not to travel.
