Dolly Parton Dies at 80 Following a ‘Brief Battle with Cancer,’ Her Team Confirms

Dolly Parton photographed for PEOPLE at Greenleaf Studios in California in October 2018.

Dolly Parton, the country music legend whose songs, unmistakable personality and philanthropic work made her one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world, died at age 80 on Tuesday, Aug. 25, following what her representatives described as a “brief battle with cancer.”

In a statement provided to PEOPLE on Aug. 25, Parton’s representatives confirmed that the “Jolene” singer had been diagnosed with cancer before her death. They did not disclose what type of cancer she had.

The statement remembered Parton not only for her extraordinary career but also for the generosity and optimism that became central to her public legacy.

“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” her representatives said.

They emphasized that Parton’s charitable work had reached millions of people around the world, including many she would never personally meet.

“Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement continued.

Among the most important examples of that generosity was Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy initiative that distributed hundreds of millions of books to children. Parton also contributed money to medical research, including research connected with the development of a lifesaving vaccine.

“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact,” her team said.

The statement then confirmed the circumstances surrounding her final moments.

“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” it concluded.

Parton had been admitted to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville on Friday, Aug. 21. She died there four days later.

Before her death, PEOPLE had reported that the singer was dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues in addition to other recent health concerns.

News of Parton’s passing was initially announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, through an Instagram video posted on Aug. 25.

Seaver introduced himself as the son of Parton’s sister Cassie and explained that he was speaking on behalf of the Parton and Owens families.

“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he said.

Seaver revealed that Parton herself had asked him years earlier to make such an announcement when the time eventually came.

“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he explained.

His connection to Parton went beyond their family relationship. Seaver said he had served as her head of security for more than two decades, following in the footsteps of his father, Larry.

“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” he said.

Seaver described announcing his aunt’s death as both an honor and an extraordinarily painful responsibility.

“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” he said.

Still, he expressed comfort through the family’s Christian faith, saying he believed Parton had been reunited with loved ones who died before her.

“But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” Seaver continued. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”

Only days before her death, Parton had publicly discussed her declining health while also insisting that she intended to continue working.

Speaking to PEOPLE on Friday, Aug. 21, Parton said she had been experiencing health problems she had previously neglected while caring for her husband, Carl Dean.

“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said.

She pointed out that it was not the first time she had experienced significant health difficulties.

Parton recalled being ill for several months during the early 1980s because of what she described as “female issues,” while also dealing with struggles involving her weight.

“You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this,” she said. “Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.”

Parton also addressed the intense public speculation surrounding her condition, noting how dramatically the media environment had changed because of social media.

“I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago,” she said.

With her trademark humor, Parton joked about once being a favorite subject of tabloids before finding herself discussed constantly in the age of social media and artificial intelligence.

“I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI!” she said.

Despite her condition, Parton insisted that she remained determined to continue pursuing the numerous projects she had planned.

“Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!” she said.

Parton added that she still had ambitions she wanted to fulfill.

“You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”

That determination characterized a remarkable career spanning nearly six decades.

Parton released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967 and eventually became the best-selling female country music artist of all time, with more than 160 million albums sold worldwide.

Her enormous catalog included songs that became enduring standards, among them “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”

Her songwriting, instantly recognizable voice and distinctive image helped transform her from a country performer into an international cultural icon.

Parton’s final year was also marked by profound personal loss.

Her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025.

Parton announced his death on Instagram at the time, reflecting on the extraordinary length of their relationship.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she wrote. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.”

Dean famously avoided the celebrity spotlight throughout their marriage, even as his wife became one of the world’s biggest entertainment figures.

Parton once told PEOPLE that although Dean generally preferred staying home, he remained one of her strongest supporters.

“He’s always supporting me as long as I don’t try to drag him in on it,” she said. “He’s always been my biggest fan behind the scenes.”

Parton frequently joked about the secret to maintaining such a long marriage.

Speaking to PEOPLE in 2018, she offered one particularly memorable explanation.

“I always say ‘Stay gone!’ and there’s a lot of truth to that,” she joked.

Dolly Parton and husband Carl Dean.

Because she traveled frequently for work, Parton said the couple learned to appreciate the time they spent together.

“I travel a lot, but we really enjoy each other when we’re together and the little things we do,” she explained.

Parton’s death brings to a close one of the most extraordinary careers in American popular music, but her influence extends far beyond the records she sold.

Her songs became part of popular culture, her Imagination Library placed books in the hands of millions of children, and her financial support contributed to important medical research.

Even during her final public comments, she remained focused on working and bringing unfinished dreams to life.

Her team’s statement ultimately described that combination of creativity, compassion and generosity as the defining force behind her legacy.

For the millions who knew her through her music, films, philanthropy and unmistakable personality, Dolly Parton leaves behind far more than a collection of hit songs.

She leaves behind a cultural and charitable legacy built across decades — one that, as her representatives said, was guided by her “unconditional love for all people.”