Dolly Parton cause of death: What happened to ‘The Queen of Country’? Details emerge amid death at 80

Dolly Parton, the celebrated country music icon, has passed away at the age of 80. Born into a family of 12 children in a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains, Parton's life was marked by humble beginnings and a profound connection to her roots. She began her musical journey in church, learning guitar and singing on local television shows at the tender age of 10. By 13, she appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, where Johnny Cash introduced her to the world as "a little girl from up in East Tennessee."

Parton's career was launched when Fred Foster, producer of Roy Orbison and Willie Nelson, discovered her potential and got her songs cut by other artists while she recorded and released her own material. With Porter Wagoner, she became a Nashville queen, honing her acting skills on his TV show and securing her first No. 1 solo single, "Joshua."

It was with Wagoner that she penned one of her most iconic songs, "I Will Always Love You," which helped her win the Country Music Association's female vocalist of the year in back-to-back years.

A generous philanthropist and successful businesswoman, Parton founded her Imagination Library to send free books to children in Tennessee, a project born from her father's struggles with literacy. Her influence spanned beyond music, as she became a pop crossover star with hits like "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," and "Here You Come Again."

Her collaborations with artists such as Whitney Houston and Kenny Rogers further solidified her status as a multi-genre entertainer. Despite facing legal battles and criticism, Parton maintained her down-home charm and humor, often joking about herself while still controlling the laughter with her signature winks and infectious laughter.