The American Dolly Parton, regarded as the queen of country music, passed away on Tuesday at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 80, as confirmed by her family in a statement released through the artist's official social media channels.
The news was announced by her nephew Brian Seaver, who served as the singer's head of security for over two decades, in a video posted on Parton's official account. “Sadness overwhelms us, not Dolly. Dolly lived in the light and is surely in the arms of Jesus,” Seaver said, visibly moved.
The family statement described Parton as a singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author, and specified that she died "peacefully." The funeral will be held in a private and intimate ceremony for the immediate family, just as she had requested.
Born in 1946 into a low-income farming family in Tennessee—the fourth of 12 siblings—Parton built a career spanning seven decades that made her a cultural phenomenon transcending political and generational boundaries.
Throughout his career, he accumulated 10 Grammy awards and sold over 100 million records worldwide, as well as composing more than 3,000 songs. Among his most iconic songs are Jolene and I Will Always Love You, the latter being popularized globally by Whitney Houston in 1992.
In recent months, the artist had faced health issues—including kidney stones and related infections—that forced her to cancel her residency in Las Vegas twice. Just four days before her death, she granted an interview to People magazine in which she stated that she was still working and exploring projects involving "performances with avatars" to continue reaching her fans.
President Donald Trump ordered that American flags be flown at half-mast for a week in her honor. “There has never been anyone like her, and there never will be,” he wrote on Truth Social, where he also described her as one of the greatest singers of all time.
Condolences poured in from all corners of the entertainment world. Elton John stated that he was "shocked and devastated," describing her as "an exceptional artist: one of a kind and irreplaceable, with a heart of gold." Priscilla Presley recalled that Elvis sang I Will Always Love You to her after their divorce: "Her music touched us all, but it was Dolly's warmth, humor, and enormous heart that truly made her unique."
The country singer Bill Anderson, a close friend of Parton, revealed in a statement to the agency EFE what her last words to him were, weeks ago, during her 65th anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry: "Bill Anderson, I Will Always Love You."
Senator Bernie Sanders emphasized that Parton "was not only a talented musician and songwriter, but also a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare, and disaster relief."
The year before her death, Parton had lost her husband Carl Thomas Dean, with whom she had been married for 59 years. Her family’s statement summarized the weight of her legacy: “Dolly Parton's legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a career spanning seven decades, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.”
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