Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Dolly Parton, the legendary American country music singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, has died at the age of 80.
Parton’s death was announced by her nephew, Brian Seaver, in a video shared on her social media accounts. A statement from her public relations team said she died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee. No cause of death was disclosed.
Seaver said, “Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely.”
He also described her lasting connection with audiences, saying, “She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
Parton’s career spanned more than six decades and established her as one of the most influential figures in country music. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide, wrote more than 3,000 songs and recorded 25 US country No. 1 singles. Her catalogue included enduring hits such as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5” and “Coat of Many Colours.”
Her music also reached audiences beyond country music. “9 to 5” became a major pop success after Parton starred in the 1980 film alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, while “I Will Always Love You” gained a new generation of listeners after Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard soundtrack in 1992.
Born into a poor farming family in Tennessee, Parton was one of 12 children and grew up in a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains. She began singing in church and appearing on local radio and television before recording her first record at 13. That same year, she performed at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, introduced by Johnny Cash.
After moving to Nashville following high school, Parton initially established herself as a songwriter before building a successful recording career. Her partnership with Porter Wagoner helped propel her to national prominence, while songs including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” cemented her reputation as a powerful songwriter and storyteller.
Parton’s influence extended far beyond entertainment. Through the Dollywood Foundation, she established the Imagination Library in 1995, providing free books to children. The programme later expanded internationally and has distributed more than 150 million books. She also supported education, disaster relief, healthcare, environmental causes and medical research.
In 2020, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for COVID-19 research, funding that contributed to work connected to the Moderna vaccine. She also invested in her home state through Dollywood, which became a major tourism and entertainment destination in Tennessee.
Tributes have poured in from entertainers, politicians and other public figures. Actor Pedro Pascal called Parton “one of one”, while Seth MacFarlane praised her “kindness, generosity, and authenticity”. Fashion designer Donatella Versace described her as “one of the kindest and most generous of souls” and “a true legend of music.”
Parton’s death comes a year after the death of her husband, Carl Dean, whom she married in 1966. The couple remained together for nearly six decades and renewed their vows in 2016 to mark their 50th wedding anniversary.
Parton had recently faced health challenges. In May 2026, she cancelled a planned Las Vegas residency after previously postponing the shows, saying she still had “some healing” to do. Despite the setback, she remained active in music and entertainment, with a Broadway musical based on her life and career scheduled to open later in 2026.
Her public relations team said, “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience.” It added that her music and humanitarian work would continue to influence generations of fans and artists around the world.
