Dolly Parton Dies at 80, Family Officially Confirms
Published Aug 25, 2026, 2:06 PM EDT
The singer, actor, and philanthropist suffered from poor health in recent years
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Actor, singer, and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died. Her family announced her death in a video on Instagram on Tuesday. Parton was 80.
Dolly Parton's nephew Brian Seaver announced the news.
“My name is Brian 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 in the video. “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. 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.”
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. 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.”
But the show may go on: Parton told People just days ago that she was in talks with companies and “early stages of development" to create “avatar performances” that could allow her to tour even after death.
According to the official announcement from her reps, a small, private service will be held for immediate family in the days to come. But per Dolly's request, fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com, and donating to her fund Imagination Library.
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