Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a “brief battle with cancer”, her representatives have confirmed.
The country music legend died on Tuesday, August 25, at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones. Her representatives confirmed her death in a statement to PEOPLE, while the type of cancer she had was not disclosed.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. 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 read.
Dolly Parton’s Team Confirms Cancer Battle
“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. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
Parton was admitted to the Nashville cancer centre on Friday, August 21, four days before her death.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video on Tuesday. Seaver introduced himself as the son of Cassie Parton and said 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 says in the video.
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“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “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.”
Seaver added: “It is an honour, an honour 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.”
Dolly Parton Addressed Her Health Days Before Death
Just days before her death, Parton had spoken publicly about her declining health.
“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 [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. 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 told PEOPLE.
She added: “But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. 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! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! 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.”
PEOPLE had previously reported that Parton had been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death.
Dolly Parton’s Music Legacy
Parton leaves behind one of the most celebrated careers in country music, spanning several decades.
She is the best-selling female country music artist of all time, with more than 160 million albums sold worldwide.
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Her recording career began with the release of Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967. She later became known worldwide for songs including “I Will Always Love You”, “9 to 5” and “Jolene”.
Her career extended beyond music, with her work in philanthropy, literature and other areas also becoming a significant part of her public legacy.
