Dolly Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, shared the country music legend's final wish in a video announcing her death at the age of 80. Seaver, who served as Parton's head of security for over two decades, stated that the video announcement was something Parton had asked him to do years prior.
Parton died earlier Tuesday after being admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday. She was being treated for autoimmune and kidney problems. Seaver, representing the Parton and Owens family, announced the passing of "my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean." He described the moment as having a heaviness he had not truly felt until then, despite imagining it for years. "Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly," he added.
Just four days before her death, Parton told People magazine that she was "dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl," referring to her late husband. Carl Thomas Dean died in March 2025 at the age of 82 after a private battle with Alzheimer's and other health complications. The couple was married for 60 years.
Parton reflected on her health struggles, noting that it wasn't the first time she had faced such challenges, recalling a period in the early 1980s when she was sidelined for months with "female issues" and weight struggles. She observed how social media magnifies health matters in a way that was less prevalent years ago.
Following Seaver's announcement, Parton's publicity team confirmed her passing. A statement described her as "an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family." Her legacy was characterized as one of "love, compassion, and resilience," with a seven-decade career that inspired multiple generations and a lasting impact from her philanthropic work.
Known as the "Queen of Country," Parton's illustrious music career spanned seven decades, with hits including "Jolene" and "9 to 5." Seaver fondly recalled joining Parton on tour as a child in the 1980s, stating she "opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible."
Seaver also shared a poignant detail about Parton's wishes for her final resting place, saying, "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." Parton, the fourth of 12 children, was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946. She and her siblings were raised in the Great Smoky Mountains with limited amenities.
Parton developed a love for music early on, singing on local radio and appearing on television in East Tennessee as a child before releasing her first single, "Puppy Love," at 13. Her recent death follows months of health concerns that led her to postpone a Las Vegas residency in September 2025. In October 2025, her sister Freida Parton had briefly sparked concern by asking for prayers for Dolly, later clarifying that Parton was "a little under the weather."