Dolly Parton’s representatives have revealed that the country music legend died following a brief battle with cancer.
Parton died Tuesday at the age of 80, according to a statement from her representatives. The specific type of cancer was not disclosed.
Parton had been admitted to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville the previous Friday. She died at the facility surrounded by loved ones.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” her representatives said in a statement.
The statement also highlighted Parton’s generosity and the lasting impact of her work beyond music and entertainment.
Her representatives pointed to the hundreds of millions of books donated through her Imagination Library as one example of her commitment to helping others.
They also noted her support for research that contributed to the development of a lifesaving vaccine used around the world.
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement said.
Parton’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from celebrities and fellow entertainers who honored her decades-long career and influence.
Country music star Reba McEntire paid tribute to Parton, thanking her for the music, love and generosity she shared throughout her life.
“Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you,” McEntire said.
Parton rose to fame as a country music singer during the 1970s, establishing herself with songs including “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors.”
She was also the writer behind “I Will Always Love You,” which became a major international hit for Whitney Houston in 1992 after appearing on the soundtrack for The Bodyguard.
Across her music career, Parton accumulated 44 Top 10 country albums and sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Her success also extended into Hollywood. Parton starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, which became a major success and helped lead to further film roles.
She later appeared in movies including The Best Little Wh*rehouse in Texas, opposite Burt Reynolds, Rhinestone, alongside Sylvester Stallone, and Steel Magnolias, with Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Julia Roberts.
Fonda and Tomlin also paid tribute to their 9 to 5 co-star following her death.
Parton’s representatives said her life was defined not only by her extraordinary entertainment career but also by her generosity and efforts to help people she would never personally meet.
Her legacy now spans music, film, philanthropy and decades of cultural influence.
