UPDATE 8/25 8:19 PM ET: Dolly Parton’s representatives confirmed on Tuesday (Aug. 25) that the legendary singer died at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
According to TMZ, Parton passed away surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Her death was reportedly unexpected, even among those close to her who were aware she had been dealing with health challenges.
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Dolly Parton was hospitalized just days before her passing.
According to TMZ, the country music legend was admitted to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Thursday night (Aug. 27) while dealing with kidney and autoimmune-related issues.
The outlet reported that Parton died Tuesday morning (August 25) at the age of 80.
News of her passing was shared by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, in a video posted on her Instagram.
“Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest,” Seaver said in the video. “Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly and Granny Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
In a video shared on her Instagram account in May, Parton revealed that her immune and digestive systems had “got all out of whack” in recent years.
In a statement shared with People on Friday (August 21), Parton also admitted that she had neglected her own health struggles while caring for her husband, Carl, who died in March 2025 at age 82.
This story is being updated.
