“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus,” her nephew Bryan Seaver announced on behalf of the family.
“She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history,” Seaver said in a video statement.
Not many artists have shaped the music world quite like Dolly Parton. Between her sharp wit, unmistakable voice, and genuine kindness, she grew way beyond a traditional country star to become a true icon of resilience and raw talent.
Beneath the glittering image of the blond bombshell was a woman whose honesty, humor, and generosity inspired millions for decades. From humble beginnings in rural Tennessee, Dolly’s journey to stardom began early. She was already performing by age 10, and by 13 she had made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry, earning just $20 a week but capturing hearts instantly.
@dollyparton/Instagram
Dolly was raised in a family where music flowed through generations and was deeply influenced by her mother’s musical relatives, and her passion only grew stronger when her uncle Lewis gifted her his beloved Martin guitar.
“Music was such a large part of our whole family,” Parton once recalled. “All of my mama’s people were musical. They all played some musical instrument. Of course, I took my music real serious, and I was always plucking along on somebody’s instrument — whatever they would leave lying around or whenever my family would come. But I always loved the guitar.
“I had two uncles who played — Uncle Bill, who helped me get into the business, and Uncle Lewis, who was also a great guitar player,” she said. “He had this little Martin guitar that I loved, so when he saw how serious I was about my music, he gave me his little Martin guitar. It was my treasure.”
After finishing high school, Dolly set out for Nashville with big dreams and unstoppable determination. The rest is history; a career spanning more than half a century, over 3,000 songs written, more than 100 million albums sold, 25 number-one hits, and eight Grammy Awards.
@dollyparton/Instagram
Tributes from fans and friends across the globe are pouring in for the legendary icon behind timeless hits like “9 to 5” and “Jolene.”
Fellow country singer Reba McEntire wrote in part on X, “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.”
President Trump ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Parton, sharing a tribute on Truth Social: “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
TV host Kathie Lee Gifford wrote on X, “I am completely devastated by the loss of my precious friend, Dolly.
“She encouraged me and loved me every day I needed it. That is what I remember most….I wish more people in this world would live like Dolly did. To just be kind and loving and steadfast . I will miss her for the rest of my life.”
Shutterstock/Tinseltown
Seaver shared with TMZ that the legendary singer will be laid to rest in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee, right alongside her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025.
Reports also noted that she will be buried true to her iconic style; her signature high heels and a comfortable cotton dress.
While an official cause of her death hasn’t been announced yet, Dolly had been open with the public about her declining health in the months leading up to her passing. As reported by TMZ, she had been hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville shortly before passing away.
