Dolly Parton, Country Music Icon and Woman of Faith, Dies at 80

Dolly Parton died August 25, 2026, at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80 years old. Her family confirmed the news through a pre-recorded video from her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, who said she had "lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus."

Parton was raised in a Pentecostal family in the mountains of East Tennessee. Her grandfather was a preacher, and she began singing in church at age six. Throughout her career, she credited her Christian faith as the foundation of everything she built.

"I am a person of faith," she said in multiple interviews over the decades. She often described God as her "co-writer" and "co-pilot," calling her creative process "God-time."

Her Imagination Library, which she founded to honor her father who could not read or write, has donated more than 300 million books to children worldwide. She also contributed funding that helped develop the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and provided disaster relief after Hurricane Helene.

Parton was deliberate about staying out of political debates, saying she wanted to remain connected to fans "on both sides of the fence." She focused instead on human dignity, literacy, and love.

U.S. flags were lowered to half-mast following her death. Tributes came from President Donald Trump, Senator Bernie Sanders, and leaders across the political spectrum. A small, private funeral was planned per her wishes.

She is survived by her extended family. Her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025.