Her family and representatives confirmed that she passed away peacefully at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville following a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dolly Parton, the prolific singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist who rose from humble East Tennessee roots to become an undisputed titan of American music, died Tuesday at the age of 80.

Her family and representatives confirmed that she passed away peacefully at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville following a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones.

Her passing was first announced by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, in a moving video released on her official social media channels.

"Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others," Seaver said. Parton’s death comes a little over a year after the passing of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.

A GLOBAL OUTPOURING OF TRIBUTES

News of her passing triggered an immediate wave of tributes from political leaders, fellow country artists, and pop icons across the globe:

• President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for a week, calling her passing "a true loss for millions of people".

• Taylor Swift reflected on Parton's impact: "A world without Dolly doesn't feel possible... her legacy will be an everlasting one."

• Beyoncé called the country legend her guide: "Dolly, you were the barometer. The North Star. Bold and brilliant."

• Reba McEntire shared her grief: "There will never ever be another you... I will always love you."

• Sir Paul McCartney hailed her unrivaled philanthropy and songwriting, noting "it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly."

In Tennessee, fans gathered at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and around her bronze statue in Sevierville to lay flowers, while landmarks like the Empire State Building lit up in pink sparkle in her honor.

SIX DECADES OF UNMATCHED LEGACY

Born in a one-room cabin in Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton launched a six-decade career during which she penned over 3,000 songs, sold more than 100 million records, and won 11 Grammy Awards. Hits like "Jolene," "9 to 5," and "I Will Always Love You" cemented her as one of music history's most successful songwriters.

Beyond the stage, she established the Dollywood theme park empire and donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charitable causes—most notably funding pediatric hospitals, COVID-19 vaccine research, and sending over 3.5 million free books to children every month through her Imagination Library.

She is survived by her extended family, millions of devoted fans, and a musical legacy that