Parton was one of the most iconic songwriters to achieve success in Nashville and around the world.
Dolly Parton, the remarkably versatile singer-songwriter who forged her artistic prestige and commercial success in both country and pop music for more than half a century, died in Nashville on Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80.
Parton had remained out of the public eye for the past year following a battle with unspecified health issues that forced the singer of the classic “I Will Always Love You” (later made universal by Whitney Houston) and the hit “9 to 5” to reduce her public appearances and postpone, and ultimately cancel, her planned 2025 Las Vegas residency. Her death came 17 months after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, to whom she was married for nearly 60 years, who died on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82.
“At Dolly’s request, a small private service will be held for immediate family,” reads a press release announcing the heartbreaking news. Dolly’s fans and friends around the world are invited to pay tribute on social media by tagging @DollyParton or leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, shared a message on Instagram following her passing.
“The magic of me,” Parton often said, “is that I look completely fake when I’m completely real.” She was famous for her apparent artifice: her flawless appearance was inspired by a prostitute from her hometown, and she always had a wry comment ready. But she was also a magnificent singer, with a vibrant soprano trill that was a constant in her repertoire, and a virtuoso songwriter whose works were embraced by other artists.
Parton, whom Billboard editors named the greatest country artist of all time in 2024, was a cultural and commercial force. She placed 49 albums in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, more than any other woman. She also achieved more number one hits on the Hot Country Songs chart than any other female artist, with 25.
