Country music icon Dolly Parton died on Tuesday, August 25. She was 80.
“Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee,” read a statement from Parton’s rep. “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family.”
The statement continued: “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
At Parton’s request, a “small, private service will be held for immediate family” while her “fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly” on social media and her website. The statement concluded that “in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”
Born in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, in January 1946, Parton grew up around music — her mother taught her church songs and ballads while her uncle Bill Owens bought her a guitar. At age 10, Parton landed a gig on a television variety show in Knoxville, Tennessee, before going on to make her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 1959 at 13. Despite the disappointing performance of her early singles, Parton moved to Nashville in 1964 after her high school graduation. She soon garnered recognition for her songwriting and earned her first Top 40 hit with “Dumb Blonde.”
In 1967, Parton became Porter Wagoner’s duet partner on The Porter Wagoner Show, launching her to a new level of fame. This led to a recording contract alongside Wagoner and as a solo artist with RCA Records. Parton achieved her first solo No. 1 hit with 1971’s “Joshua,” followed by the additional chart-topping songs “Jolene,” “Love Is Like a Butterfly” and “I Will Always Love You” in 1974.
As her star rose, Parton crossed over from country to pop with 1977’s Here You Come Again. She also pursued a film career with memorable roles in 1980’s 9 to 5, 1982’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and 1989’s Steel Magnolias. In 1992, Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” became an even bigger hit when Whitney Houston recorded the track for her movie The Bodyguard.
Parton returned to her country music roots in 1989 with the release of her album White Limozeen. In the decades that followed, she continued to try her hand at different genres, including bluegrass, rock and gospel. She also launched her own record label, Dolly Records, in 2007.
Outside of her musical projects, Parton was known for her many business and philanthropic ventures. She opened her Dollywood theme park in East Tennessee in 1985, created the Dollywood Foundation to inspire educational success among children in 1988 and launched her Imagination Library to gift free books to kids in 1995.
As for her many accolades, she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She received the Living Legend Award from the Library of Congress in 2004, the National Medal of Arts in 2005, Kennedy Center Honors in 2006 and a Lifetime Achievement from the Recording Academy in 2011. Throughout her career, she also won multiple Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award and received Academy Award and Tony Award nominations.
Parton was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Dean, whom she married in May 1966 after meeting him at a laundromat on her first day in Nashville. She announced in March 2025 that Dean had died at the age of 82.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she wrote in a statement at the time. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
