Dolly Parton, iconic singer-songwriter and philanthropist, dies at 80
Dolly Parton died peacefully in Nashville at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, ending a five-decade career that included 49 albums, 11 Grammys and extensive charitable work.
Dolly Parton died peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday at the age of 80, according to a family statement. A small, private service will be held for close relatives. Her publicist said she passed away after a brief battle with cancer.
Parton, who rose from a one-room cabin in Tennessee to become one of the most successful country crossover artists, wrote more than 3,000 songs, released 49 albums and won 11 Grammy Awards. Her catalog includes hits such as “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and the movie theme “9 to 5.”
Beyond music, Parton built a significant philanthropic legacy. She founded the Dollywood Foundation, which later created the Imagination Library program that has donated over 300 million books to children worldwide. She also contributed to disaster relief, funded research for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University for pandemic research.
Parton’s career also spanned film and television, with notable roles in “9 to 5,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Steel Magnolias.” She received the Country Music Hall of Fame induction in 1999 and a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
"I do not believe that we should criticize and judge other people, I think we should be accepting and loving. We are all God’s children," Parton said in a 2016 interview.
Her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025, was a long-time private partner in her life and career. Parton released a tribute song, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” in his memory.
Parton’s death marks the loss of a cultural figure whose music, business ventures and charitable initiatives have left a lasting impact on American entertainment and philanthropy.