Rebecca Seaver, niece of the late country music icon Dolly Parton, has spoken out about her grief following the singer's death at age 80. Seaver described her feelings as "insurmountable" in an emotional Instagram post, sharing private family photos that documented their close relationship.
Parton's representatives confirmed her death to People, stating that the singer died after a "brief battle with cancer." She had been admitted to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center on Friday and was reportedly surrounded by loved ones. Her death occurred after the passing of her husband of 60 years, Carl Dean, in 2025.
Seaver, who is the sister of Parton's mother Cassie, shared a carousel of images featuring herself and her aunt, spanning from her childhood to adulthood. "She has always been the light, not just for those directly in her orbit but for the entire world," Seaver wrote. "We all wanted to be better versions of ourselves for her sake, and I hope we all continue to do just that."
Parton's niece also highlighted the professional bond they shared. Seaver serves as the executive director of the Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum and established the Dolly Archive, which houses iconic costumes, awards, and personal items to preserve Parton's cultural impact.
"Today, I embark on a new journey: a life without my most trusted confidant," Seaver continued. "My best friend, my favorite adventurer, my name-giver, my godmother, my precious Aunt Granny."
Seaver also reflected on Parton's significant contributions, including her Imagination Library program, which has donated hundreds of millions of books to children. Parton also made a $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in April 2020, supporting research that contributed to the development of a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
"I am so grateful to have experienced the magic of her presence in my life and in all of yours," Seaver wrote. "It is my absolute honor to pay tribute to her today, and always, by telling her beautiful story. Her legacy is the joy she brought and will continue to bring to all of us." She concluded by saying she wants "us all to remember that joy and grief exist together" and described the tribute as a "celebration of a beautiful life, lived unapologetically and with the most incredible heart."
Parton's goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, also shared her sorrow on Instagram, stating that the feeling of losing her aunt was beyond words. Cyrus noted that their most private moments were sacred and would remain so. "What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong," Cyrus wrote. "I have an angel by my side. I always have."
Cyrus recalled one of her last conversations with Parton being about music and metamorphosis, adding, "I will always love her and want to make her proud." She expressed heartbreak for the world, Parton's family, and friends, concluding, "We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things."