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Dolly Parton, the country music legend whose songwriting, acting and philanthropy reached audiences worldwide, has died at age 80. Dolly Parton died peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Nashville, according to a statement from her publicist.
A cause of death was not immediately announced. Parton’s family confirmed her death as tributes began appearing across the music and entertainment industries.
Dolly Parton Dies After Six Decades in Entertainment
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on Jan. 19, 1946, she grew up in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. She was one of 12 children in a family with limited financial resources.
Music became an important part of her childhood. Parton performed at the Grand Ole Opry at age 13 and moved to Nashville after completing high school.
Her national breakthrough came through “The Porter Wagoner Show.” She appeared alongside Wagoner for several years before establishing a successful solo career.
Parton wrote hundreds of songs during more than six decades in entertainment. Her best-known recordings include “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Whitney Houston later recorded “I Will Always Love You” for the 1992 film “The Bodyguard.” The recording introduced Parton’s songwriting to another generation of listeners.
Success Across Music, Film and Business
Parton crossed from country music into pop while maintaining her Tennessee roots. Her approachable public image also helped her connect with audiences across generations and political divisions.
She earned 10 Grammy Awards from 55 nominations, according to the Recording Academy. The organization presented her with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Parton also built a successful acting career. Her major films included “9 to 5,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Straight Talk.”
Her business ventures included Dollywood, the theme park in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains. The attraction became an important employer and tourism destination in the region where she grew up.
The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Parton in 1999. She entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a performer in 2022.
Imagination Library Expanded Her Community Impact
Parton’s influence extended far beyond entertainment. She launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995 to support childhood literacy.
The program began by providing books to children in Sevier County, Tennessee. It later expanded across the United States and several other countries.
The Imagination Library mails free books each month to registered children from birth through age 5. Family income does not affect eligibility in participating communities.
The program distributed its 200 millionth book in 2023. Its selections also include bilingual English and Spanish titles for families across the United States.
Parton said her father’s inability to read inspired the program. The initiative became one of the most widely recognized parts of her philanthropic work.
A Lasting Influence Across Generations
Parton remained active into her 80th year. In January 2026, she released a new version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” with Miley Cyrus, Reba McEntire, Queen Latifah and Lainey Wilson.
Her career joined music, storytelling, business and public service in a way few entertainers achieved. Her songs will remain part of American culture, while her literacy work will continue reaching children and families worldwide.