Country Icon Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After Health Battle

Country music superstar Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. Her death was announced by her nephew, Brian Seaver, who shared the news via Dolly Parton's Instagram account. Seaver stated that Parton succumbed to prolonged health challenges after a valiant fight.

In her last interview with PEOPLE on August 21, 2026, Parton revealed she had been experiencing "female issues" and weight concerns for months. She attributed her declining health partly to neglecting her own well-being while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean. Despite these challenges, she expressed a desire to continue working and achieve more goals.

Parton's final wish, as shared by her nephew, was to "rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton" after a life dedicated to performing and wearing heavy costumes. Her family and legacy team have pledged to uphold her spirit and contributions. Fans have been revisiting her past interviews and social media posts following the news.