'Queen of country music' Dolly Parton dies aged 80

Dolly Parton, the revered legend of country music, has passed away at the age of 80. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, revealed her death on social media, expressing his mixed emotions of pride and sadness. Bryan recounted how Dolly, who had been her aunt to one generation and grandmother to the next, had requested this announcement years ago.

Seaver, her head of security for over two decades, acknowledged the weight of this moment but noted it had only recently sunk in. He described Dolly's passing as a blessing, with her now in the care of Jesus and alongside her late husband, Carl, her parents, and others who longed to meet her in heaven.

Parton's health had been a concern leading up to her death. Last year, she had to withdraw from a Dollywood performance due to dizziness and dehydration, which doctors advised against travel. In the wake of her husband's death in March 2025, Parton revealed she had been battling undisclosed health issues. Her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, had been her spouse for nearly 60 years.

Parton's career spanned six decades, during which she penned over 3,000 songs, including the iconic "I Will Always Love You." She released 49 studio albums and more than 100 compilation and collaboration albums, earning her the title of "Queen of Country Music." Her 11 Grammy wins, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, are a testament to her enduring legacy.

On screen, Parton gained fame for her role in the 1980 comedy "9 to 5," for which her theme song won two Grammys and was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Song. She also acted in films such as "Rhinestone" and "Steel Magnolias," and appeared in TV shows like "The Simpsons," "Reba," and "Hannah Montana." Beyond her music career, Parton was a champion of children's literacy, authoring a variety of books including fiction, memoirs, cookery, and children's books.

Her impact was recognized by the National Medal of Arts in 2005, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006, and the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2025, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.