NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dolly Parton, the country music legend whose career spanned nearly six decades and whose influence extended far beyond music, has died at the age of 80.
Parton’s death was announced Tuesday, August 25, by her family. According to multiple reports, the singer died peacefully in Nashville. A cause of death has not been publicly announced. (reuters.com)
The Tennessee native became one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in American entertainment, building a career as a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist.
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in rural Tennessee, Parton was one of 12 children. She began singing and writing music at an early age before moving to Nashville following high school to pursue a career in country music.
Her breakthrough came through her work with country star Porter Wagoner in the late 1960s. Parton eventually established herself as a solo superstar, recording songs that would become country music standards, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
“I Will Always Love You” later became an international phenomenon when Whitney Houston recorded the song for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Parton’s success stretched well beyond country music. She starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 film 9 to 5 and later appeared in movies including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias.
Over her career, Parton won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide. (reuters.com)
Parton also became known for her business ventures, most notably Dollywood, the theme park in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains that grew into one of the region’s major tourist destinations.
Her philanthropic work became another major part of her legacy. Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995, initially providing free books to young children in her home county in Tennessee. The program later expanded internationally and has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children.
Parton had faced health issues in the period leading up to her death. Earlier this month, she missed a Dollywood appearance after experiencing dizziness and dehydration. She had also previously postponed and later canceled planned Las Vegas performances while undergoing medical treatment. Just days before her death, Parton publicly discussed her health challenges while emphasizing that she continued working on several projects. (euronews.com)
Her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82. The couple married in 1966 and largely kept their relationship away from the public spotlight.
From her beginnings in the mountains of Tennessee to becoming one of the most successful entertainers in the world, Parton’s songs, personality and charitable work made her an enduring figure across generations.
Dolly Parton was 80 years old.
This is a developing story. First Source News will update this article as additional information becomes available.
