Dolly Parton dies aged 80: Farewell to a true music icon

The music world has lost one of its most recognisable and much-loved stars, with Dolly Parton dying at the age of 80.

The country music legend’s death was announced by her nephew, Brian Seaver, on Tuesday.

For more than six decades, Parton’s unmistakable voice, extraordinary songwriting and larger-than-life personality took her far beyond the world of country music and made her a global star.

Born into a large family in rural Tennessee, Parton grew up in poverty before heading to Nashville after finishing high school in 1964.

It was the beginning of one of the most remarkable careers in popular music.

Songs including Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You became classics, while her 1983 collaboration with Kenny Rogers, Islands in the Stream, became another of the defining songs of her career.

Remarkably, Parton is said to have written Jolene and I Will Always Love You on the same day.

The latter took on an entirely new life when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard in 1992, introducing Parton’s songwriting to another generation of listeners.

Parton also became a familiar face on the big screen. She starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, and later appeared in films including Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

But there was always much more to Dolly Parton than the rhinestones, big hair and instantly recognisable voice.

She became equally respected for her generosity.

Her Imagination Library, launched in 1995, grew from a literacy initiative in her home county in Tennessee into an international programme providing millions of free books to young children. She also donated $1 million towards research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center that contributed to the development of Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine.

Parton had faced health challenges in recent years and had been forced to cancel or postpone appearances. Just days before her death, however, she said she was still working and spoke about the projects she hoped to complete.

Her husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025.

Dolly Parton leaves behind an extraordinary catalogue of music, but perhaps her greatest achievement was the affection she inspired across generations.

Country star, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, philanthropist and one-of-a-kind entertainer — Dolly Parton was simply an icon.

said she was still working and spoke about the projects she hoped to complete.