Dolly Parton, Country Music Icon, Dies at 80

Los Angeles: Dolly Parton, the beloved "Queen of Country" whose seven-decade career and philanthropic legacy made her one of America's most cherished cultural figures, died Tuesday in Nashville. She was 80.

Her nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, confirmed the news in an emotional video posted to Parton's Instagram, saying he was fulfilling a request she had made of him years earlier. Her team said the star had faced a brief battle with cancer and died surrounded by loved ones. The exact cause of death has not been publicly detailed by the family.

The singer had recently spoken about ongoing health struggles, including kidney and digestive issues, and had postponed public appearances in the weeks before her death. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.

Tributes poured in from across the world following the announcement. President Donald Trump ordered flags at the White House lowered to half-staff, the Empire State Building was lit in pink in a nod to her film "9 to 5," and officials in Sevier County, Tennessee — where Parton was born — declared August 26 a day of mourning.

The Empire State Building is lit up in pink to honor the late US singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in New York on August 25, 2026. (Photo | AFP)

Rising from poverty in the Smoky Mountains, Parton became a defining voice in American music, penning classics such as "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You," and later expanding into film, television and business ventures including Dollywood. Beyond music, she was widely recognized for her philanthropy — supporting the development of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, funding pediatric cancer research, and founding the Imagination Library, which has distributed millions of free books to children worldwide.

Her family's statement described her as an inspiration "through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family," adding that her legacy was one of "love, compassion, and resilience."