Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing to an end an extraordinary career which spanned more than six decades.

The singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist died on Tuesday, 25 August 2026. News of her death was announced by her family, with her nephew Brian Seaver sharing an emotional message with fans.

Parton was one of the most recognisable and loved figures in music, with a career that reached far beyond the country genre she helped bring to audiences around the world.

Born on 19 January 1946 in Tennessee, she grew up as one of 12 children in a family with very little money. Music became part of her life from an early age, first through church and local performances before she eventually moved to Nashville after finishing school in 1964.

It was the beginning of a remarkable journey.

From Tennessee to a global superstar

Parton's songwriting became one of the defining parts of her career.

Songs including Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You became classics, with the latter later becoming a worldwide hit for Whitney Houston.

Parton achieved 25 number one singles on the US country chart during her career and became one of the most successful female country artists of all time.

But Dolly Parton was never simply a country singer.

Her personality, humour and unmistakable image helped turn her into a cultural icon. She successfully crossed into mainstream pop music and Hollywood, starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 film 9 to 5, for which she also wrote and performed the famous title song.

She later appeared in films including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias, while continuing to record, perform and write music.

A legacy beyond music

Away from the stage, Parton became equally well known for her generosity.

In 1995 she launched the Imagination Library, inspired partly by her father, who could not read or write. The programme began by sending free books to young children in her home county in Tennessee and eventually expanded internationally, including into the UK.

She also donated $1 million towards research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center during the Covid-19 pandemic. That research contributed to the development of the Moderna vaccine.

Her business ventures included Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park which became one of the best-known attractions in the region and provided significant employment and investment in the area where she grew up.

Despite becoming one of the world's biggest entertainers, Parton remained closely associated with her Tennessee roots throughout her life.

Tributes pour in

Tributes began appearing within hours of the announcement of her death.

Her longtime friend and 9 to 5 co-star Lily Tomlin posted a simple, emotional message following the news, while fellow country star Reba McEntire was among those remembering Parton and her enormous contribution to music.

Artists and figures from across country music, Hollywood and the wider entertainment industry have also been sharing their memories of a woman whose influence stretched across generations.

Parton's husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 after almost 60 years of marriage. The couple had largely kept their relationship away from the spotlight despite Parton's enormous fame.

A cause of Dolly Parton's death has not been publicly announced at the time of writing. Her publicist has confirmed that a small private service will be held for immediate family.

An icon who will be difficult to replace

For millions of people, Dolly Parton was more than the woman behind some of country music's greatest songs.

She was instantly recognisable, endlessly quotable and seemingly incapable of taking herself too seriously. Behind the rhinestones, big hair and larger-than-life personality was an exceptionally talented songwriter who never appeared to forget where she came from.

Her music crossed generations. Her charity work changed lives. Her songs became part of popular culture.

From a childhood in rural Tennessee to stages around the world, Dolly Parton's story was one few could ever replicate.

She leaves behind an extraordinary catalogue of music and a legacy that reaches far beyond it.

Dolly Parton, 19 January 1946 - 25 August 2026.

Thank you for the music, Dolly.