Dolly Parton, the celebrated American icon and country music legend, has died at the age of 80. Her family confirmed the news in a video statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday.
“Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton and I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” the statement read.
The announcement comes shortly after Parton shared updates on her ongoing health issues. In a video message on Friday, August 21, she told fans she had been dealing with health problems she had previously overlooked while caring for her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.
Parton had previously postponed her first Las Vegas residency in over 30 years in May due to "health challenges."
Past Health Challenges
Parton had been candid about several health issues throughout her life. In 1982, she canceled a tour due to severe abdominal pain and bleeding, leading to a diagnosis of endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting many women. To manage her symptoms, she underwent a partial hysterectomy in 1985 at age 36, which rendered her unable to carry children.
Following her endometriosis diagnosis and surgery, Parton spoke about a period of deep depression. In her 2017 book "Dolly on Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton," she described falling into a "dark time" that included binge eating, leading to a 50-pound weight gain. She also revealed in a 2019 podcast episode that she had contemplated ending her life during this period.
In 2008, Parton delayed the start of a tour due to a back injury sustained when she bent over to pick something up, resulting in a slipped disc. At the time, she joked about her "puppies" when referring to her breasts, but later explained the injury was a "freak thing" that had since healed.
In September, Parton had to skip a Dollywood event because of a painful kidney stone that led to an infection. Her representative, Olly Rowland, clarified in a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the issue was related to kidney stones and a necessary procedure, downplaying concerns that had been amplified after her sister, Freida Parton, asked fans for prayers.
Grief and Resilience
Parton also recently spoke about the profound grief she experienced following the death of her husband of nearly 59 years, Carl Dean, in March. In a May segment on TODAY, she described it as a "big adjustment" to change their lifelong patterns and habits.
In July, she revealed on Khloé Kardashian's podcast "Khloé in Wonder Land" that she had been unable to write new music since Dean's passing.
Despite these health setbacks and personal losses, Parton maintained a resilient spirit. In a video message to fans, she stated, "Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet." She added that she believed God was telling her to "slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you."