NEWSHow Did Dolly Parton Die? What to Know So Far About Her Passing at 80
Country star Dolly Parton has died at 80.
Aug. 25 2026, Published 2:50 p.m. ET
Dolly Parton has died at 80, her family announced on Tuesday, August 25.
The legendary singer, songwriter, and actress died peacefully in Nashville, Tenn., according to a press release.
Here's what we know so far about Parton's death.
Dolly Parton Dead at 80
The news of Dolly Parton's death was shared by the son of the singer's sister, Bryan Seaver.
The news was shared by Bryan Seaver, the son of Dolly's sister, Cassie Parton, in a video posted to the singer's social media account.
"I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean," Bryan said. "Sister, sis, aunt, granny to one generation and Gigi to the next. This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago."
"As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father, Larry, held before, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment, but haven't truly felt it until now," he continued. "Dolly opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that everything was possible."
"Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest," Bryan concluded. "Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly."
How Did Dolly Parton Die?
A cause of death has not been released.
At this time, an official cause of death has not been released.
Dolly's immediate family is holding a small, private service for the country star, while fans and friends are encouraged to leave a message at www.dollyparton.com.
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Dolly Parton's Health Struggles Leading Up to Her Death
Dolly Parton was dealing with health issues in the months before she died.
Dolly had already been dealing with health problems for months before her death.
In May, the singer announced that her six-date "Dolly: Live in Las Vegas" event at Caesars Palace's Colosseum would be postponed after her digestive and immune systems became "all out of whack."
"The good news is I'm responding really well to meds and treatments, and I'm improving every day," Dolly said at the time. "The bad news is, it's gonna take me a little while before I'm up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit 'swimmy headed' as my grandma used to say."
Dolly Parton Recently Revealed She Was Dizzy and Dehydrated
On August 14, the singer expressed that she was 'dizzy' and 'dehydrated' and had to miss the opening of a new ride at Dollywood.
Dolly's health remained a concern in the weeks leading up to her death.
On August 14, just 11 days before she died, the singer apologized to fans after she was unable to attend the opening of NightFlight Expedition, a new ride at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
"I'm still in Nashville and I'm sorry about that. I'm supposed to be there in person, like we planned," Dolly said in a video shared by the Knoxville News Sentinel.
"Sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated. And I'm dehydrated," the singer said. "And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain't traveling this week. So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain't traveling this week, you ain't traveling this week."
