Country music icon Dolly Parton has died. She was 80.
Parton’s nephew and her longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, announced the news of her passing in an Instagram video Tuesday.
“I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began. “Sister, Sis and Aunt Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.”
“As her head of security, for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” Seaver, the son of Parton’s sister Cassie, said. “It is an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
In Seaver’s video, he recognized that Parton “opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life, and across every continent.”
“By her example, we believed that anything was possible,” he went on. “She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the doors she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you.”
Seaver also said that the country music icon called him before her death and “said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
The video ended with a black-and-white photo of Parton with the message “I will always love you” and her signature.
Parton’s publicity team also confirmed her passing on Tuesday.
Her reps said in a statement, “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family.”
“Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience,” the statement continued. “With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Parton shared her final health update on Friday, just days after canceling her appearance at her Dollywood event.
She told People she was “dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” referring to her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away in March 2025 at age 82.
At the time of Dean’s death, Parton wrote in a statement, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Parton shared in July 2025 that she would be taking a brief step back from music because she couldn’t “afford the luxury” of “getting emotional.”
Months later, in September 2025, Parton abruptly pulled out of an appearance at Dollywood in Tennessee due to health issues.
