Dolly Parton appeared in good spirits during her final public appearance — days before her heartbreaking death Tuesday.
The “Jolene” songstress appeared virtually to accept the ACM Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors Aug. 19. It is unclear when she recorded the video message.
“I just want to send a very special thank you to the Academy of Country Music for honoring me with the Poet’s Award,” Parton said in a video message shared via Instagram last week.
“You know, I’ve been able to do many things throughout my life, but at my core, songwriting has always been the most important part of who I am creatively.”
“Every dream I ever had, and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well, they all started with a song. Songwriting has been my therapy,” she continued. “Songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God that has allowed me to touch people with words and music.”
The 10-time Grammy winner was seated in the video and looked chic in a long-sleeved cream top. Her famous blond hair was pinned up in a messy updo for the virtual appearance.
As Page Six reported earlier Tuesday, Bryan Seaver — the country music star’s nephew — confirmed in a post shared to Instagram that Parton had died. She was 80.
“I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip.
“Sister, aunt, Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he continued. “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.”
Seaver, who has been head of Parton’s security for more than two decades, said he has “imagined the heaviness of this moment but hasn’t truly felt it until now.”
“It is an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he said.
Parton’s publicity team also confirmed her death Tuesday in a statement to Page Six.
“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,” her reps said in part.
“Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. 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.”
A cause of death has not been disclosed. However, TMZ reported Tuesday that Parton was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville last Friday with kidney and autoimmune issues.
Per the outlet, Parton died in the hospital.
Just days before the “I Will Always Love You” singer’s death, she canceled an appearance at her iconic Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, after a doctor ordered her not to travel due to ongoing “health issues.”
“I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned,” she said in a video posted by Knoxville News Sentinel and the Tennessean.
“Now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.”
Parton’s last public appearance was at the opening of her Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop ribbon-cutting ceremony in June.
Her death comes more than a year after her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at 82.
After Dean’s death, the “9 to 5” songstress said she would briefly take a step back from music because she couldn’t “afford the luxury” of “getting emotional.”
