Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a private battle with cancer, her representatives confirmed on Tuesday. Her passing occurred at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones.
Parton's team shared in a statement to People that the "Jolene" singer died following a "brief battle with cancer," though the specific type of cancer was not disclosed. An industry insider also told The Daily Mail that Parton had been quietly dealing with the illness in the months leading up to her death, with those close to her aware of her diagnosis for about 11 months.
"After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones," the statement read. "Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched."
The statement continued, "Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people 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 helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact."
Parton's death was confirmed on Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security. According to TMZ, she had been admitted to Nashville's Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Friday with autoimmune and kidney problems.
Family members and close friends reportedly rushed to Nashville upon hearing of her hospitalization, though not all were able to reach her before her death. Seaver described his aunt as someone who "lived in the light" and is now "in the arms of Jesus" and reunited with her late husband Carl Dean, her parents, and others in heaven.
Parton, often called the Queen of Country, had an illustrious music career spanning six decades, with her most famous hits including "Jolene" and "9 to 5." Her passing comes after months of reported health issues that led her to cancel several public appearances, raising concerns among fans.
Seaver recalled touring with Parton 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." He characterized her as a farmer of songs and happiness, noting her desire to rest in a "beautiful bed of plush cotton" after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones.
Sources indicated that a private service for close friends and family is planned in Nashville in the coming days. In an interview published just four days before her death, Parton expressed a desire to continue working as long as she could, stating she still had "so many things I want to achieve." She had mentioned grappling with "some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl."