Dolly Parton dies at 80 following health issues

(NewsNation) — Beloved singer, songwriter and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family announced on Instagram. Parton’s nephew, Brian Seaver, appeared in a video announcing her death, which came after the singer spoke out about ongoing health concerns after canceling her Las Vegas residency and missing an appearance at her Dollywood park. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens,” Seaver said. Tributes pour in for music icon Dolly Parton after her death at 80 Parton’s husband, Carl, died in March of last year. In her posts regarding her health, the star noted that she had stopped taking care of herself while caring for him. “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. “Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, Aunt Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all.” Following the announcement, President Donald Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff for a week in honor of the singer. “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” Trump said on social media. Dolly Parton’s early life Parton was born on Jan. 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, to her mother, Avie Lee Owens and father Robert Lee Parton. The fourth of 12 children, Dolly Parton went on to marry her husband Carl Dean during a private ceremony in 1966. The couple had no children of their own, but Parton was the godmother to pop singer Miley Cyrus. The pair have performed together several times and in 2017, Parton appeared on Cyrus’ album “Younger Now” as a feature on the song “Rainbowland.” The country singer has been quoted saying, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.” Parton rose to fame 50 years earlier in 1967 when she replaced Norma Jean as Porter Wagoner’s duet partner on “The Porter Wagoner Show.” Her song “Joshua” was Parton’s first solo to reach the No. 1 spot in 1971. That success was followed by three more No. 1 hits in 1974, including “Jolene,” “Love is Like a Butterfly,” and “I Will Always Love You.” The latter song, famously covered by singer Whitney Houston, was Parton’s farewell to Wagoner before she officially left the show in 1974. She eventually started her own label, Dolly Records, in 2007. Dolly Parton’s award-winning career Parton would go on to enjoy a busy and celebrated career, earning 13 Academy of County Music Awards, 10 Grammys and nine Country Music Awards. She released her first post-Wagoner album “New Harvest, First Gathering” in 1977. Soon after, in 1978, the Country Music Association named Parton Entertainer of the Year. The Library of Congress also gave Parton the Living Legend Award in 2004 and she was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2005. The following year, she was selected as the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Parton also received the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. In that time, Parton appeared in several movies, including her starring role in the 1980 comedy “9 to 5.” Her hit song “I Will Always Love You” also reached new audiences when it appeared on the soundtrack for the movie “The Bodyguard.” Dolly Parton’s philanthropy and community Outside of entertainment, Parton actively pursued philanthropic endeavors, including her support of the Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services in Sevierville, Tennessee, where a life-size statue of the singer stands. Parton also opened an East Tennessee theme park in her namesake, Dollywood, in 1986. A look back at Dolly Parton’s many awards following her death at 80 The theme park, along with efforts through her non-profit the Dollywood Foundation, has helped to support Parton’s home roots through tourism and scholarships. Parton’s Imagination Library has also distributed more than 178 million books to children as old as five across the world. The city of Pigeon Forge, home to Dollywood, posted a tribute to the singer. “Dolly Parton meant so much to Pigeon Forge, the Smoky Mountains, and generations of people around the world. Her kindness, generosity, music, and love for the place she called home have left a mark that will never fade,” the statement said. “The Smokies simply wouldn’t be the same without her.” Parton remained in the spotlight throughout her adult life. She drew attention in November 2023 during her NFL Thanksgiving halftime show performance, where she sang favorites including “Jolene” and “9 to 5.”