Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, following a hospitalisation for autoimmune and kidney problems.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver announced her passing on Tuesday afternoon in a somber video message, revealing that the performance legend had requested the announcement years earlier.
Seaver, who served as Parton's head of security for more than two decades, explained that he recorded the message at his aunt's personal request before he could fully process it as a future reality.
"I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean," Seaver said in the recording. He remembered her as "Sister, sis, Aunt, Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next."
Seaver expressed the emotional weight of fulfilling the duty, which his father Larry had previously held as head of security. "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," he said. He added: "It is an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly."
Sharing her heartbreaking final wish, Seaver revealed that Parton had requested to rest in a bed of plush cotton. He said she told him that after a lifetime of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserved to be comfortable and have some rest.
Seaver also reflected on his childhood memories of travelling on tour with Parton during the 1980s, noting how she opened doors for her entire family to reach potential they did not know was possible. He paid tribute to her roots, describing her as "a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness."
Final Days and Health Struggles
The singer was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday with autoimmune and kidney issues, according to reporting by TMZ, before passing away on Tuesday morning.
Just four days before her death, Parton spoke to People magazine about her health struggles, admitting she had been dealing with issues that she overlooked while caring for her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean. "You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this," she told the publication.
"Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health," Parton told People. She added: "But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago."
Addressing online speculation with her trademark humor, Parton remarked: "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’!"
Her death followed months of health challenges that forced her to pull out of several public appearances. In September 2025, Parton postponed her planned Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace, which had been scheduled for December 4 to December 13, 2025. The rescheduled concert dates were set to take place next month.
Concerns over her wellbeing had previously escalated in October 2025 when her younger sibling, Freida Parton, asked fans on Facebook to pray for the country star. Freida updated her post hours later to clarify that she did not mean to scare anyone, explaining that Parton was merely a little under the weather and that she simply believed in the power of prayer.
Publicity Team Tributes and Family Legacy
Following the release of Seaver's video, Parton's official publicity team released a statement confirming her passing and honoring her lifetime of achievements. "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," the team stated.
The statement continued: "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 spent nearly six decades married to Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82 following a private battle with Alzheimer's disease and other health complications.
From the Smoky Mountains to Country Icon
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946, she was the fourth of 12 children born into a humble rural family. Raised in the Great Smoky Mountains, she grew up in a home without running water, gas, or electricity, where the children slept on straw beds.
Parton shared her childhood home with her 11 siblings: Willadeene, David Wilburn, Coy Denver, Bobby Lee, Stella Mae, Cassie Nan, Randel Huston 'Randy', Larry Gerald, twins Estel Floyd and Freida Estelle, and Rachel Ann.
Developing a passion for music early in life, Parton began performing regularly on local radio stations and East Tennessee television broadcasts as a young child. She released her debut single, "Puppy Love," at the age of 13 before going on to build one of the most successful careers in entertainment history.
Widely celebrated as the Queen of Country, Parton achieved global fame with timeless classic hits including "Jolene" and "9 to 5." Her seven-decade career established her as a prolific songwriter and beloved philanthropist whose influence reached across multiple generations of musicians and fans.
As fans and fellow artists around the world mourn the country music legend, her family is preparing intimate funeral arrangements to honor her final wishes.
