Parton is said to have died peacefully in Nashville
Tributes have poured in for “global icon and humanitarian” Dolly Parton following her death aged 80.
Parton’s death was announced by her nephew Brian Seaver in a video shared on her Instagram page and followed a short period of ill health for the country music legend, songwriter, actress, author and philanthropist, who was admitted to hospital last Friday.
He said: “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.”
Mr Seaver added: “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 to meet her in the heavens.”
He said Parton wanted 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... May God bless you all. She will always love you."
The singer was married to Carl Thomas Dean for almost 60 years until his death in March 2025, aged 82.
Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and wrote over 3,000 songs.
I Will Always Love You – one of the defining love songs of the 20th century – was written as a goodbye to her former creative partner Porter Wagoner, who hired her to be his sidekick on The Porter Wagoner Show and helped her land a record deal.
The song became a blockbuster hit when Whitney Houston recorded a cover for the 1992 film The Bodyguard, with an estimated 20m copies sold.
Parton’s film credits include the 1980s classic comedy 9-5, for which she wrote the theme tune, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas alongside Burt Reynolds, Rhinestone with Sylvester Stallone, and Steel Magnolias with Julia Roberts and Sally Field.
In a statement, Roberts remembered “a magical and joyous human”.
She added: “I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”
Actor James Woods, who starred with Parton in the 1992 movie Straight Talk, wrote: “Heaven has found its voice. Rest in His arms, angel.”
US president Donald Trump described Parton’s death as a “true loss for millions of people” and announced that US flags would be lowered for a week in her honour.
There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
Parton’s public relations firm paid tribute to the “global icon and humanitarian” who was known to the world as a “beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author”
A statement said: "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.
“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."
Parton was born into absolute poverty in a one-room cabin in Tennessee, the fourth child to a mother who would have 12 children by the age of 35, and a father who was a farmer and construction worker.
One of her best-loved songs, Coat of Many Colours, was about her mother creating patchwork clothes and Parton’s first guitar was made from a mandolin with bass guitar strings.
Her great wealth led to great philanthropy, with her projects rooted in the place from where she came before reaching across the world.
The Dollywood Foundation was created in 1988, initially awarding college scholarships and running a scheme to help children complete high school in Sevier County, Tennessee.
Her Imagination Library followed in 1995, with the project launched in her home town to gift books to young people.
Inspired by her own father’s inability to read and write, the library has now gifted some 300m books globally.
In Scotland, the Imagination Library partners with the Scottish Book Trust and its Bookbug program to gift free books every month to care-experienced and adopted children in Scotland from birth to age five.
First Minister John Swinney paid tribute to Parton and said he was “deeply saddenend” by the news of her death.
“In Scotland, her Imagination Library inspired a love of reading and provided thousands of free books for children.
“Her warmth, generosity and her music were truly one of a kind. My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Author JK Rowling said: “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity. Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck. RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplacable one off.”
During the Covid pandemic, Parton made a $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support the development of the Moderna vaccine and was later pictured taking the jab before singing ‘vaccine, vaccine, vaccine’ to the tune of her hit Jolene.
Just days ago, Parton spoke of putting her own health to the side while caring for her husband before his death last year.
Parton missed the opening night of a new attraction at her Tennessee theme park earlier this month after experiencing dizziness and dehydration, with doctors advising her against travel.
In the aftermath of the cancelled appearance, she told People: “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.”
Parton added: “It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.
“But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI!
“Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”
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