25/08/2026
Icon and Queen of Country music Dolly Parton has passed away at the age of 80. Her death was confirmed in a statement released by her nephew.
Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, announced the news in a video posted on her Instagram:
“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,” Seaver said in a 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 til now,” he added.
Seaver added that Dolly “lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by (her late husband) Carl, her parents, and countless others.”
“Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly — Aunt, Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you,” Seaver said at the end of the lengthy video statement.
Her death comes after Parton suddenly announced in May 2026 that she was canceling a Las Vegas show and said she’d been undergoing treatment for kidney stones for several years.
During her more than 60-year career, Parton sold more than 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards, making her one of the best-selling musical performers of all time.
Condolences to her family during this difficult time.
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