American country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing to an end a career that spanned more than six decades.
Parton died on August 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, following a brief battle with cancer, according to her family and representatives. She was surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
Born on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, Parton grew up in a poor family of 12 children. She began performing as a child before moving to Nashville and building a remarkable career as a singer, songwriter and actress.
She wrote more than 3,000 songs, including Jolene, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You. The latter became a global hit after Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Parton also found success on screen, starring in films including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias. Her career earned her 10 Grammy Awards, as well as inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond entertainment, Parton was known for her philanthropy. Her Imagination Library, launched in 1995, has distributed more than 300 million free books to children around the world.
She also co-owned Dollywood, a major Tennessee tourist attraction, and donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic to support research.
Parton’s death follows that of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
Her family said a small private funeral will be held for close relatives and asked fans to consider donating to the Imagination Library instead of sending flowers.
US President Donald Trump has also announced that American flags will be lowered for a week in her honour.
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