Dolly Parton, country music legend, dies at 80

Dolly Parton, the legendary American country music singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, has died at the age of 80.

Parton’s death was announced on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, by her family. Her publicist also confirmed the death. No cause of death was immediately disclosed. The Tennessee-born star built a career spanning more than six decades and became one of the most recognisable figures in country music.

She was known for songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” which became one of the most successful songs in music history after Whitney Houston recorded her version for The Bodyguard.

Parton grew up in a poor family in rural Tennessee, one of 12 children. She began writing songs as a child before moving to Nashville as a teenager to pursue a career in music.

Her breakthrough came after she began working with country singer Porter Wagoner in the 1960s. She later established herself as a solo performer and became one of the most successful female artists in country music.

Beyond music, Parton enjoyed a successful career in film. She starred in movies including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, while also becoming a major businesswoman through ventures including Dollywood, the theme park in Tennessee.

A career beyond entertainmentParton’s influence extended far beyond music and Hollywood.She founded the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a literacy programme that provides free books to children.

The initiative eventually expanded beyond the United States and has distributed hundreds of millions of books. She also donated $1 million to support COVID-19 vaccine research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a contribution that was later acknowledged in connection with the development of the Moderna vaccine.

Her career earned her numerous honours, including multiple Grammy Awards and inductions into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Parton’s personal life also faced a major loss last year when her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 after nearly 60 years of marriage.

In the months before her death, Parton had spoken publicly about health challenges and had cancelled some appearances. She continued to work on creative projects, including a Broadway musical based on her life.

Tributes began pouring in from across the entertainment industry following news of her death, with fellow artists remembering her music, humour, generosity and lasting influence. Parton’s death marks the end of one of the most remarkable careers in modern American popular culture — one that took her from rural Tennessee poverty to global fame while maintaining a strong connection to the people and traditions that shaped her music.