Dolly Parton Died After a Brief Battle with Cancer, Her Team Confirms

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August 26, 2026 | 08:27 am

Dolly Parton on the talk show The Graham Norton Show. (YouTube)

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Country music legend Dolly Parton died at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives confirmed on Tuesday, August 25.

Parton's team told PEOPLE that the singer died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones. The type of cancer was not disclosed.

Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video on Tuesday. He said the announcement was something Parton had asked him to make years earlier.

The singer had been admitted to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center on Friday, August 21, four days before her death. PEOPLE previously reported that Parton had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues.

Just days before her death, Parton had publicly acknowledged that she was dealing with health problems. In an interview with PEOPLE published August 21, she said she was still recovering but remained determined to work.

“I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!” Parton said, adding that she still had many projects and ambitions she wanted to complete.

Her health struggles had become more visible in the weeks before her death. She had missed the opening of a new ride at Dollywood after doctors advised her not to travel, and she appeared by video instead.

Parton's death came more than a year after the death of her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 after nearly 59 years of marriage. Parton had spoken openly about the impact of his death and the difficulties of adjusting to life without him.

Despite her health problems, Parton remained active until the end of her life. She had a career spanning seven decades, becoming one of the most successful country music artists in history with hits including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You.

Beyond music, Parton was also known for her philanthropy. Her Imagination Library has distributed more than 300 million books to children, while she also supported medical research, including research that contributed to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Dolly Parton's representatives said her life was defined not only by her music but also by her generosity and efforts to help others.

Her death was confirmed at the age of 80 after what her team described as a brief battle with cancer. The specific type of cancer has not been publicly disclosed.

Read: Remembering Dolly Parton: 8 Facts About the Icon

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Remembering Dolly Parton: 8 Facts About the Icon

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