Country music legend Dolly Parton dies aged 80

Country music icon Dolly Parton has passed away at the age of 80, her family confirmed on Tuesday. In a video message, her nephew Bryan Seaver announced her death, without specifying the cause. In May, Parton had canceled a Las Vegas residency due to health concerns that left her feeling unwell. Throughout her seven-decade career, Parton became a household name, with chart-topping hits like "I Will Always Love You," "9 to 5," and "Jolene."

Her iconic status brought country music to a global audience through her powerful voice, glamorous style, and memorable performances.

Parton's influence extended beyond her music. Known for her wit, warmth, and kindness, she became a symbol of resilience and compassion. A self-made woman from a poor background, she used her fame and fortune to support various causes. President Donald Trump ordered US flags to fly at half-mast for a week, praising Parton as "someone like her, and never will."

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Parton donated $1 million to vaccine research at Vanderbilt University and launched literacy programs in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and Ireland, offering scholarships to high school students in her native Tennessee county.