Dolly Parton has died at 80 after spending the final year of her life dealing with health problems that repeatedly kept the country music legend away from the stage. Parton died Tuesday, Aug. 25, according to her nephew Bryan Seaver, who announced her death in video shared across social media. The singer had recently spoken openly about kidney stones and problems affecting her immune and digestive systems while assuring fans she remained determined to keep working.
Dolly Parton Dies After a Year of Health Challenges
The “Jolene” singer’s death comes after health concerns increasingly affected her public schedule. The 80-year-old initially postponed a planned Las Vegas residency in 2025 after doctors told her she needed several procedures. The shows were eventually canceled as her recovery continued. In May, Parton gave fans a detailed update, explaining that treatment was helping but she was not physically ready to perform.
“But the good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day. Now, the bad news is it’s going to take me a little while before I’m up to stage-performance level, because some of the meds and treatments make me a little ‘swimmy-headed,’ as my grandma used to say,” she said. Parton revealed to People on Friday, Aug. 21, she had been dealing with kidney stones while her immune and digestive systems had also “got all out of whack over the past couple of three years.”
“And hopefully, I’ll be up to snuff again soon,” she said. The singer had acknowledged feeling “worn down and worn out” following the death of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025.“ I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally and physically. But, all is good,” Parton said.
The Country Legend Kept Working Away From the Stage
Despite her health problems, Parton never completely stepped away from work. She remained involved with her Broadway musical and the development of her Nashville hotel, SongTeller, which opened in 2026 alongside her Life of Many Colors Museum. She also made occasional appearances, including at the June opening of her Tennessee truck stop, while handling other engagements virtually.
During one Dollywood appearance, Parton explained why doctors had restricted her travel. “Sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated. And I’m dehydrated. And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t traveling this week,” she said. Her health difficulties followed an enormous personal loss. Parton and Dean had been together for nearly six decades before his death.
“We were together 60 years. I’ve loved him since I was 18 years old, and it’s a big adjustment just trying to change patterns and habits. I’ll do fine. I’m very involved in my work and that’s been the best thing that could happen to me. But I’ll always miss him, of course, and I’ll always love him,” she said in 2025.
Dolly Parton Leaves Behind an Extraordinary Legacy
Born Jan. 19, 1946, in Tennessee, Parton rose from poverty to become one of entertainment’s most recognizable figures. Her catalog included classics such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”
She sold more than 100 million records and earned membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her career also stretched into movies, television, business and philanthropy, including Dollywood and her Imagination Library literacy program.
For all her accomplishments, Parton repeatedly said songwriting remained at the center of her identity. “I’ve got a big ol’ mouth and personality, so it’s easy for me to get out and entertain,” she said in 2020. “But when it comes to my writing … it’s just that little special thing that’s just mine.”
Parton also prepared for her music to continue after her death by recording vocals for previously unreleased material. “At the end of the day, I hope that I will be remembered as a good songwriter,” she wrote in 2020. “The songs are my legacy.”
Parton’s Life in Timeline
- Jan. 19, 1946 — Born in Sevierville, Tennessee, one of 12 children in a poor rural family.
- 1964 — Graduates from Sevier County High School and moves to Nashville the next day to pursue music.
- 1967 — Releases her first record, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” and becomes a regular on Porter Wagoner’s television show.
- 1967 — Marries Carl Dean, beginning a marriage that would last nearly 60 years.
- 1973 — Writes and releases “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” two of her most enduring songs.
- 1980 — Stars in “9 to 5,” expanding her career into film.
- 1986 — Opens Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
- 1995 — Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- 1995 — Launches the Imagination Library, her literacy program that has since distributed millions of free books to children worldwide.
- 2001 — Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- 2022 — Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- March 2025 — Husband Carl Dean dies at 82, after 58 years of marriage.
- September 2025 — Postpones her planned Las Vegas residency, citing health issues.
- May 2026 — Gives fans a detailed health update, revealing ongoing kidney stone treatment and immune/digestive issues.
- June 2026 — Makes a public appearance at the opening of her Tennessee truck stop.
- 2026 — Her Nashville hotel, SongTeller, and the Life of Many Colors Museum open.
- Aug. 21, 2026 — Tells People she’s still healing but determined to keep working.
- Aug. 25, 2026 — Dies at 80 at her home in Nashville, according to a family statement from her nephew Bryan Seaver.
