Dolly Parton, who rose from humble beginnings to the peak of American music and became one of the nation's most philanthropic, unifying, and beloved stars, passed away on Tuesday in Nashville at the age of 80, according to a statement released by her family.
The family's statement shared that Parton passed away "peacefully," adding that a small, private service will be held for her close family members.
Her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, later confirmed that Parton died "after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer."
The legendary artist had been open about various health challenges over the past two years, particularly following the death of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025.
In a video message to fans earlier this year, Parton reflected on that difficult time, saying, "Back when my husband Carl was very sick, that was for a long time, and then when he passed, I didn’t take care of myself. So I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of."
