Dolly Parton has died at age 80, according to reports published today, August 25, 2026.
Her family confirmed her death, though a specific cause has not yet been publicly released…
The news comes after Dolly had been dealing with health issues for some time. Just days ago, she spoke publicly about ongoing problems including dizziness and dehydration, but she was still working and talking about future projects. She had recently missed a Dollywood appearance and had previously canceled her Las Vegas residency because of health concerns.
Dolly’s husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, died in 2025, and she had spoken about how difficult that loss was for her. Even through her recent health struggles, she continued writing, working and staying connected with fans.
Her legacy is enormous: she wrote classics including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” won 11 Grammys, starred in movies like 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, and created the Imagination Library, which has provided hundreds of millions of books to children.
For your show, the simplest way to frame it would be: Country music has lost one of its most beloved icons. Dolly Parton has died at 80 after a career spanning more than six decades — leaving behind not just an incredible catalog of music, but an enormous philanthropic legacy as well.
