NASHVILLE (Diya TV) — Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon whose career reached across music, television and film, has died at 80, according to her nephew Brian Seaver.
Parton built one of the most successful careers in entertainment history. She won 11 Grammy Awards and earned inductions into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Over the years, she also became known for her philanthropy, acting and efforts to promote childhood literacy.
Seaver announced Parton’s death Tuesday in a video shared on Instagram. He said Parton had asked him years ago to make the announcement when the time came. Seaver had served as her head of security for more than two decades.
Parton was born Dolly Rebecca Parton on Jan. 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee. She grew up as the fourth of 12 children in a poor Appalachian family. Despite limited resources, she developed a strong passion for music at a young age.
She first found success as a songwriter before releasing her debut album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” in 1967. Soon after, her powerful voice and distinctive songwriting helped her become one of country music’s biggest stars.
Parton later earned 52 Grammy nominations and won 11 awards. She also became the second-most nominated woman in Grammy history, behind Beyoncé.
Her music reached audiences far beyond country music. Parton scored three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with “9 to 5,” “Here You Come Again,” and “Islands in the Stream.” She also recorded 25 No. 1 Hot Country songs, including “Jolene,” “Yellow Roses,” “Think About Love,” and “Tennessee Homesick Blues.”
Meanwhile, Parton enjoyed major success in Hollywood. She starred in films such as “9 to 5” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” Both performances earned her Golden Globe nominations for best actress.
However, Parton’s influence extended well beyond entertainment. She launched the Imagination Library more than three decades ago to help children develop a love of reading. The program sends free books to young children and has expanded across many states.
Parton also became widely recognized for her charitable work. After Hurricane Helene struck parts of the southeastern United States, including her home state of Tennessee, she donated $1 million toward recovery efforts.
She also often connected personally with fans. In one memorable moment, Parton called a Utah man after he learned that his cancer treatments were no longer working. The singer thanked him for supporting her music for many years. The call gave the fan what he described as a bucket-list experience.
Parton also spoke openly about her Christian faith while supporting LGBTQ rights. She advocated for marriage equality and defended transgender people. In past interviews, she urged Christians to avoid judging others and leave judgment to God.
In recent months, Parton faced health challenges that led her to cancel concerts and other appearances. In May 2026, she canceled a Las Vegas show and said she had received treatment for kidney stones for several years. She also said health problems had affected her immune and digestive systems.
Parton’s death also follows the passing of her husband, Carl Dean. Dean died March 3, 2025, in Nashville at age 82. The couple had been married for 58 years. Dean largely stayed away from public attention, while Parton remained one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers.
After Dean’s death, Parton honored their relationship with the song “If You Hadn’t Been There.”
Her influence will continue through generations of fans and the programs she created to help others.
