Dolly Parton, country music icon, dead at 80: What we know

Dolly Parton, country music icon, dead at 80: What we know.

Key points

• New Yorkers will see Parton's legacy reflected in the city's skyline as the Empire State Building glows pink from 9: 25 p.m.
• Parton opened Dollywood in 1986, building the park around her love for the Smoky Mountains and the individuals who live and work there.
• Fellow Steel Magnolias star Julia Roberts informed Variety in an official note, Dolly was a magical and joyous human.
• Dollywood was closed on Tuesday after the death of its Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton.
• 27, was unrelated to her death and was listed in its 2026 operating calendar.

Dolly Parton, country music icon, dead at 80: What we know. Brendan Morrow, Anthony Robledo USA TODAY.

Dolly Parton, the groundbreaking country music icon, has died. She was 80.

Parton had been battling cancer before her death, her representatives confirmed to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, on Aug. 25. In an official note announcing the previously undisclosed diagnosis, her representatives reflected on the country icon's legacy and shared details regarding her final days.

"Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless individuals whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand. Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that supported create a lifesaving vaccine employed worldwide, Dolly's unconditional love for all individuals was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."

Parton's death was additionally confirmed by her family on Aug 25. The iconic "Jolene" singer had been facing health problems in the last year of her life and had lately missed a planned public appearance.

"My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you, " Bryan Seaver, Parton's nephew, remarked in a video announcing her death on Aug. 25. The video was posted on the singer's official social media pages.

"She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family, whether you liked it or not, " Seaver remarked. Here's what we know. Dolly Parton, music legend and philanthropist, dies at 80.

Dolly Parton health update, cause of death: How did the country music icon die?

Parton died after battling a brief battle with cancer, her representatives confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug, 25.

Though the singer had previously opened up concerning health struggles since 2025, her diagnosis was not publicly made public. In October, Parton spoke candidly in a video message that was published after her sister triggered concern by publicly asking fans to pray for the singer.

At the time, Parton remarked she was doing "OK" but had "some difficulties" to deal with and was undergoing "a few treatments."

"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, " Parton remarked. "So I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of. When I obtained around to it, the doctor stated, 'We need to take care of this, so anyway. We need to take care of that.'".

Parton continued that she had to "cancel some things" as she underwent "a few treatments." She had previously postponed a number of concerts, citing "health challenges."

In May, Parton shared a health update as she canceled all of her Las Vegas demonstrates. In a five-minute video, she informed fans she was "responding really well to meds and treatments" and "improving every day, " though she stated it would take "a little while before I'm up to stage performance level" since her medications and treatments "make me a little bit swimmy headed."

"I've always had problems with my kidney stones, " she remarked. ".My immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past three years, and are working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those."

"I have great doctors, and I'm doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I'm going with that, " Parton continued. When did Dolly Parton die? Parton died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Nashville, Tennessee. Dolly Parton offered health update in interview days before death.

Parton spoke regarding her health in a conversation with Residents magazine on Friday, Aug. 21, just four days before she died. The singer informed the magazine she had been through "hard times" with her health lately.

"I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl, " she remarked, referring to her late husband Carl Dean. This person died in 2025 at 82.

"It's not like I haven't been through hard times with my health, " she informed Residents. "But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn't years ago."

According to Parton continued that she was "still healin'" and "still workin'" and, her team was in the "early stages of development" with firms that create "avatar performances." Dollywood's closure is unrelated to Dolly Parton's death.

For context, the park will open Wednesday, Aug. 26, according the Dollywood website. It reads "as Dolly wanted, reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — 'the show must go on.'".

Notably, the closure, initially set from Aug. 25 and Aug. 27, was unrelated to her death and was listed in its 2026 operating calendar.

Parton opened Dollywood in 1986, building the park around her love for the Smoky Mountains and the individuals who live and work there. During the park's 40th season opening, she remarked she was proud that Dollywood had become a "shining star" and contributed to the region's expansion. – Devarrick Turner, Knoxville News. Empire State Building to honor Dolly Parton with pink lights.

New Yorkers will see Parton's legacy reflected in the city's skyline as the Empire State Building glows pink from 9: 25 p.m. To 10: 25 p.m ET Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Meanwhile, the move is a nod to the Grammy-winner's staple tune "9 to 5, " which Parton published in 1980, the Empire State Realty Trust stated in a news release. Dolly Parton's website appears to crash after her death.

Parton's official website appeared to be offline by midafternoon on Tuesday, Aug. 25, presumably due to an influx of visitors after her death was confirmed. As of 3: 30 p.m. ET, the website displayed a blank page. Dolly Parton to be honored at private memorial service.

Notably, a private memorial service will be held for immediate family, according to Parton's rep. Fans who would like to pay tribute are encouraged to tag @DollyParton on socials or leave a message at dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be created to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.

President Trump honors Dolly Parton, flags lowered: 'There has never been anyone like her'.

President Donald Trump mourned Parton in an official note shared on Truth Social and confirmed he would order the American flag to be lowered throughout the United States "for a one week period" beginning at 6 p.m.

"Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away, " Trump wrote. "This is a true loss for millions of individuals. There has never been anyone like her, and never will." The president added, "Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you." Reba McEntire, Sally Field, more pay tribute to Dolly Parton.

Parton's friend and fellow country singer Reba McEntire led the tributes that poured in on social media.

"Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth, " McEntire posted. "Your love, your music and you offered so much with your enormous massive heart. There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She's gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her."

McEntire continued that she will "never forget the first time I met you and I'll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart."

Kacey Musgraves remarked in a series of X posts that "this really really hurts, " writing that "the world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden" but that she's "so glad she's with" her late husband.

Sally Field, who starred with Parton in the movie "Steel Magnolias, " additionally posted on Instagram that "if there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one, " adding, "I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly."

Fellow "Steel Magnolias" star Julia Roberts informed Variety in an official note, "Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today." Dolly Parton mourned at Hollywood Walk of Fame star: Watch live.

Shortly after her death was confirmed, Parton was already being mourned by fans at her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It has been adorned with flowers. Dolly Parton skipped Dollywood appearance weeks before her death.

More lately, Parton missed an anticipated Dollywood appearance earlier this month, but sent a video message: She observed she was "supposed to be there in person" but was unable to produce it.

What happened to Dolly Parton? Singer shares update after missing Dollywood event.

Taken together, the developments around dolly Parton, country music icon, dead at 80: What we know point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.