Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives. Her reps said she was surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville when she died on Tuesday, August 25.
In a statement, her representatives said Parton spent her life bringing “joy, laughter, hope and integrity” to everything she touched. They also highlighted her philanthropy through Imagination Library and her support for medical research. They said her unconditional love for others was the driving force behind the lasting impact she leaves behind.
Parton’s death came as a shock to those closest to her, despite her having experienced health problems in recent months. Sources said her family and friends knew she was sick but believed she would recover. She had been hospitalized in Nashville for four days before her death after battling several health issues.
Tributes quickly poured in from celebrities and friends, including longtime friends and former “9 to 5” co-star Jane Fonda and country music star Reba McEntire. Fonda remembered Parton as funny, generous and “completely one of a kind.”
McEntire also mourned her longtime friend, saying there would “never ever be another” Dolly Parton. Parton leaves behind a career spanning more than six decades. She became one of the biggest stars in country music with enduring hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Her influence extended far beyond music. She was also an actress, businesswoman and major philanthropist, with her Imagination Library providing millions of books to children. From her humble beginnings in Tennessee, Parton went on to become a global entertainment icon and one of the most recognisable figures in American popular culture. She was 80.