Death of Dolly Parton
| Date | August 25, 2026[1] |
|---|---|
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Cause | Cancer |
| Deaths | Dolly Parton |
On August 25, 2026, American country singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Dolly Parton died in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, at the age of 80.[1] Her death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver. The cause of death was cancer, which she privately battled prior to her death.[2]
Background
Final months
Prior to her death, Parton had several projects planned including docuseries and biopic films. She opened Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, a new travel stop off Interstate 65 in Cornersville, Tennessee.[3][4] The grand opening of the travel center also marked the last public appearance of Dolly Parton two months prior.[5] She planned to open her SongTeller Hotel in Nashville on September 29, 2026, which includes the Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum and a coffee line called Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee.[3] Additionally, she also had planned a Broadway musical in New York City.[6] However, she also cancelled her planned Las Vegas residency in May over her ongoing health issues, including kidney stones.[7]
Final days
Prior to her death, Dolly Parton initially planned an appearance at Dollywood for the grand opening of the NightFlight Expedition roller coaster. She cancelled the appearance due to ongoing health issues and advise from her physician against traveling and instead delivered a video message on the opening. She also cancelled a appearance at the 2026 Americana Music Honors & Awards, where she was scheduled to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.[8] She would then be hospitalized on August 21, 2026, four days prior to her death, and also discussed in a interview with the People magazine her health issues.[2][9]
Death
Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, four days after her hospitalization. Her death was announced in a video message by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who had served as her head of security for more than two decades.[10] She reportedly asked her nephew to announce her death years prior.[11] Her representatives confirmed that she died following a brief battle with cancer, which she kept private to continue maintaining a positive outlook.[2][12] A private funeral was held for her, and was then buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park alongside her husband Carl Dean wearing a cotton dress and her signature heels.[13][14]
Reactions
The Academy of Country Music stated that Parton left "a legacy that reaches far beyond the stage". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum director Kyle Young higlighted her commitment to equality and literacy.[15] Grand Ole Opry called her "a true country music icon".[16] The Dollywood family, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton, released a statement mourning her death.[17] Other figures from the entertainment world paid tribute to her, including Eminem, Kid Rock, Jack White, and Lily Tomlin.[18][19]
Across the political spectrum, U.S. president Donald Trump issued a statement describing her as "one of the greatest country singers" and ordered flags at half-staff for a week.[20] Multiple state governors issued similar orders.[21][22][23][24] Former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as numerous politicians including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, also released tributes to Parton.[25][26][27]
Tributes and memorials
Cities such as the Manhattan borough of New York City and New Orleans announced September 25 as Dolly Parton Day, with Lexington, Kentucky, announcing an event to honor her. Several counties in East Tennessee, including Cocke County, declared similar local proclamations.[28]
Legacy
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Spivey, Matt; Hadfield, Charlotte (August 25, 2026). "Dolly Parton, Legendary US Country Singer, Dies Aged 80". BBC News. Retrieved August 25, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Esquibias, Liza; West, Bryant. "Dolly Parton's cancer battle revealed after country icon's death at 80".
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "She worked 'up until the day she died': Dolly Parton docuseries, biopic among planned projects". Los Angeles Times. August 27, 2026.
- ↑ staff, Local 3 News (June 24, 2026). "Grand opening continues for Dolly Parton's Tennessean Travel Stop". Local3News.com.
- ↑ Urrea, Alicia (August 25, 2026). "Dolly Parton Was All Smiles & Jokes at Final Public Appearance, 2 Months Before She Died".
- ↑ Grant, Teddy (July 7, 2026). "Dolly Parton's 'dream come true' Broadway musical to open". NewsNation.
- ↑ https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/health/dolly-parton-las-vegas-cancel-health-may-2026/
- ↑ Corbett, Kelly (August 19, 2026). "Country legend, 80, cancels another event due to health concerns: 'I get a little dizzy'". syracuse.
- ↑ Kindelan, Katie. "Dolly Parton shared update on her health days before her death at age 80". ABC News.
- ↑ https://www.kcra.com/article/dolly-parton-nephew-bryan-seaver-video-announcement/73524043
- ↑ https://ew.com/dolly-parton-asked-nephew-bryan-seaver-announce-her-death-years-ago-12067881
- ↑ https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2026/09/03/dolly-parton-cancer-battle-secret-private-funeral-cousin/91592113007/
- ↑ https://abcnews.com/GMA/Family/dolly-partons-family-shares-final-message-amid-news/story?id=135948668
- ↑ https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/aug/25/dolly-parton-to-be-buried-in-high-heels-next-to-he/
- ↑ https://attractionsdaily.com/2026/08/dolly-parton-tributes/
- ↑ https://parade.com/news/grand-ole-opry-honors-dolly-parton-after-country-icons-death-at-80
- ↑ https://www.wyff4.com/article/dollywood-honors-dolly-parton/73524543
- ↑ https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-detroit-eminem-jack-white-kid-rock-martha-reeves/91466627007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z117758p118550l000050c118550e1175xxv117758&gca-ft=171&gca-ds=sophi
- ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tributes-dolly-parton-pour-fellow-stars-ordinary-people-rcna594366
- ↑ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-dolly-parton-tribute-flag-half-mast-b3039115.html
- ↑ https://www.wsfa.com/2026/08/25/we-will-always-love-you-dolly-governor-ivey-orders-flags-lowered-dolly-parton/
- ↑ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2026/08/25/ohio-flags-half-staff-dolly-parton-dewine-order/91460814007/
- ↑ https://www.wtap.com/2026/08/25/gov-dewine-orders-flags-lowered-honor-dolly-parton/
- ↑ https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/ohio-west-virginia-kentucky-leaders-speak-on-dolly-partons-passing/
- ↑ "Former presidents honor Dolly Parton following singer's passing". The Hill. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/dolly-parton-president-tributes-obama-bush-clinton-trump-1235615634/
- ↑ https://www.billboard.com/music/country/australia-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-dolly-parton-1236324767/
- ↑ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/dolly-parton-day-september-25-1236691179/
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