Dolly Parton, the iconic country music singer, died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, after a brief battle with cancer, according to a statement from her representatives . She passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones . The specific type of cancer was not disclosed . Parton had been hospitalized four days earlier with kidney and autoimmune issues, as reported by TMZ . Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, on her social media .
Parton's career spanned over seven decades, during which she sold more than 160 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards . Tributes poured in from around the world, including from Cher, who recalled their 50-year friendship and said she would miss Parton's laugh . Julio Iglesias, who duetted with her in 1994, wrote a heartfelt message . Argentine comedian Fátima Florez paid homage with an imitation .
Parton left behind a roadmap of projects, including a biopic, a docuseries, an animated series, and a Broadway musical titled "Dolly: A True Original Musical," set to premiere on January 19 . One of her most unique gestures is the song "My Place in History," recorded in 2015 and sealed in a chest at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort, not to be played until January 19, 2046, what would have been her 100th birthday .
Parton was known for her Christian faith and her support for the LGBTQ+ community, which she based on her belief that "we are all children of God" . Her family has requested donations to her Imagination Library instead of flowers .
