(LOOTPRESS) – Country music icon Dolly Parton, whose unmistakable voice, songwriting talent and larger-than-life personality made her one of the most beloved entertainers in the world, has died at the age of 80.
Parton’s death was reported Tuesday, August 25. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Born in a one-room cabin in rural East Tennessee, Parton rose from poverty to become one of country music’s most successful and influential performers. Her career spanned nearly seven decades and produced enduring hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Her talents extended well beyond music. Parton became a successful actress through roles in movies such as 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She also built a major entertainment and tourism business that included Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Parton received 11 Grammy Awards and was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She was also recognized for her humanitarian work, especially through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children around the world.
Her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82. Parton had experienced several health problems in the months before her death, leading her to cancel appearances and a planned Las Vegas residency.
Despite those challenges, Parton remained active and optimistic about her future. Just days before her death, she spoke about the projects she still hoped to complete and said she had many more things she wanted to achieve.
Parton leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond country music. Through her songs, generosity, humor and devotion to her Appalachian roots, she became an enduring symbol of kindness, perseverance and authenticity.
