Dolly Parton Dies At Age 80, Her Family Confirms
on • Updated
Dolly Parton, the country music legend beloved for her timeless songs and generous heart, has died.
Her family, issuing a statement through her nephew, Bryan Seaver, shared the news on Tuesday (August 25). A press release issued by Dolly’s team later confirmed that she passed away “peacefully” earlier in the day.
In a video message shared to Dolly’s official social media pages, Bryan said:
“I am representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean. Sister, sis, Aunt Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.”
Bryan shared that Dolly had asked him, “years ago,” to make an announcement like this in the event of her passing. He had served as her head of security for over two decades.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by [her late husband] Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens,” Bryan said.
He promised that her family and team “will work diligently” to ensure her spirit and legacy live on. He continued to say:
“Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness.”
He said that Dolly had called him, saying she would like to be laid to rest on a bed of cotton, “because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable, and have some rest.”
You can watch Bryan’s entire message in the video below.
Dolly Parton Had Been Struggling With Her Health Before Her Passing
Dolly Parton had been dealing with some health issues for the past year, which kept her mostly out of the public eye. She made only a few appearances in recent months, with her last being for the opening of her Tennessean Travel Stop in June.
Dolly canceled a recent planned appearance at her Dollywood theme park and sent in a video message instead. She did the same when she was recognized at the ACM Honors on August 19th.
Dolly never went into specifics about her health issues, only mentioning some kidney stones and other unnamed issues she needed to have seen to. These limited her ability to travel.
In an interview with PEOPLE shortly before her passing, she said:
“Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin.'”
Per Dolly’s wishes, a small, private funeral service will be held for her immediate family. Her fans can honor her by sharing tributes on social media or on her website, www.dollyparton.com.
In lieu of sending flowers, her family requested that donations be made to Dolly’s Imagination Library.
Our prayers go out to Dolly Parton’s family and friends during this devastating time. We will always love you, Dolly…
