Dolly Parton, one of country music's most singular performers, has died at age 80

Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. The artist's death was confirmed in a statement from her representatives, as well as in a video posted to social media from her nephew Bryan Seaver. "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," reads the statement, which notes that Parton "died peacefully" in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 25, 2026. In a later statement, Parton's publicist Marcel Pariseau said that the cause of death was "a brief battle with cancer," according to the Associated Press. Parton was a flurry of activity in her final, post-touring years, continually rolling out new theater productions, clothing lines, baking mixes and more. Everything she did and said was news, even if she cannily avoided wading into issues that had the potential to be divisive.