08/25/2026
DOLLY PARTON, THE QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC, DIES AT 80
NASHVILLE TN- Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon whose unmistakable voice, songwriting and larger than life personality made her one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world, has died. She was 80 years old.
Parton died Tuesday, August 25, in Nashville, Tennessee. News of her passing was announced by her family.
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in the mountains of East Tennessee, Parton grew up as one of 12 children in a family with very little money. From those humble beginnings, she went on to build an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades.
Parton became one of country music’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, creating classics including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You. Her career stretched far beyond country music, with success in film, television, business and philanthropy.
But for millions of families, Parton’s legacy also lives on outside of entertainment.
She founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995, inspired in part by her father, who never had the opportunity to learn to read. The program grew from a small effort in East Tennessee into an international literacy program that has provided millions of free books to children.
Parton was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82. The two married in 1966 and were together for nearly six decades.
In recent months, Parton had publicly discussed ongoing health challenges and had stepped away from several scheduled appearances. Just days before her death, she said she was continuing to heal while remaining involved in several projects.
According to a statement reported Tuesday, a small private service will be held for immediate family at Parton’s request. Her family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
From a little girl singing in the Smoky Mountains to a global superstar whose songs crossed generations, Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond country music.