Dolly Parton dies peacefully in Nashville, 1.5 years after husband’s death
Iconic American country singer Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, said a post on her official Facebook account on Tuesday (25 Aug).
Flags will be lowered to half-mast across the United States (US) to mark the sad news.
Source: Dolly Parton on Facebook
Dolly Parton asks nephew to announce her death
Parton passed away peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, about 1.5 years after her husband Carl Thomas Dean died in March 2025.
A small, private service will be held for her immediate family, at her request.
The news was first announced in a video posted about an hour earlier, where her nephew and head of security Bryan Seaver said his aunt had asked him to break the news to fans “years ago”.
Source: Dolly Parton on Facebook
She had told him that she wanted to rest in “a beautiful bed of plush cotton” because she finally deserves comfort and rest after “a life of wearing heavy rhinestones”.
Dolly Parton was dealing with health issues
Four days before her death, Parton told People magazine on 21 Aug that she was dealing with some “health issues”.
The decline started after her husband died as she “just didn’t pay attention” to her condition when she was watching over him, she said.
She was however not yet ready to rest, telling the magazine that she was still working as there were “so many things” she still wanted to achieve, adding:
So I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.
Parton had cancelled a planned residency in Las Vegas in May due to health challenges and medical procedures, but told fans that she was responding well to treatment.
Source: Dolly Parton on Facebook
Dolly Parton’s career spanned 6 decades
Parton, who began singing and playing guitar in church at the age of six, released her debut album in 1967 and went on to be the best-selling female country music artist of all time.
She is best known for composing and recording hits including “9 to 5”, “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”, which was covered by Whitney Houston to chart-topping success.
Source: Dolly Parton on Facebook
She also starred in movies such as “9 to 5”, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, “Steel Magnolias” and Rhinestone, where she shared the screen with Sylvester Stallone.
Source: Dolly Parton on Facebook
Throughout her glittering career, Parton won one Emmy, 11 Grammys, 10 Country Music Association awards, seven Academy of Country Music awards, three American Music awards, two Oscar nominations and an honorary Oscar.
She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
US flags lowered in Dolly Parton’s honour
In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said he was “very sad” at the news, calling her “one of the greatest country singers”.
He said Parton’s death was a “true loss” for millions as “there has never been anyone like her, and never will”.
In her honour, he ordered all US flags throughout the country to be lowered for one week.
Source: Donald J. Trump on Truth Social
Mr Trump had offered Parton the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice during his first term, but she declined both times.
Also read: US actress Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36, best known for ‘Heroes’ & ‘Nashville’
US actress Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36, best known for ‘Heroes’ & ‘Nashville’
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Featured image adapted from Dolly Parton on Facebook and Facebook.
